>On Dec 18, 2007 7:57 AM, Pat Hayes <phayes@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> . Even if one were given a complete
>> (dead) mammalian brain, there is no conceivable
>> way to reconstruct all the neural connections in
>> it, since the total cross-section of a neuron's
>> end branchings greatly exceeds that of its axon,
>> and these neurons are tightly packed in the
>> cortex. Any way to 'take it apart' to find all
>> the neurons, therefore, would of necessity
>> involve breaking the connections which hold them
>> together. Put another way: its impossible to
>> assemble (or disassemble) a brain; it has to be
>> grown.
>
>This is precisely why I think the brain should be studied as a whole, and
>not in its puree or minced form. (01)
Well, everyone agrees with that, of course. The
problem is knowing how to start describing a
whole brain. BTW, it is definitely known that
different parts (areas) of the brain perform
distinct functions, even though they mostly look
similar under a microscope. (02)
> Thats the only way the neural paths (folk. 'brainwave') can be observed, (03)
Wait: neural paths aren't waves. Waves are
rhythmic patterns of activity across the whole
brain, like movements in a flock of birds. These
are only a tiny fraction of the total brain
activity, though, most of which seems to not be
'waves' at all, more like flashes or bursts. (04)
>
>I hate to think like Frankenstein , but I bet you can induce some
>level of passive activity in a coma brain by passing some tiny
>frequencies. (05)
You can stimulate neurons in an awake brain by
small electrical impulses along a needle. The
person in the brain experiences some very odd
stuff, depending on where you do this to. (06)
> (not ac/dc I guess)
>I ll have to remember to do that experiment next time I come across a coma (07)
Well, speaking as an ex-epileptic, I'd rather you didn't. (08)
Pat :-) (09)
>
><grin>
>
>PDM
>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>--
>Paola Di Maio
>School of IT
>www.mfu.ac.th
>*********************************************
>
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