Quantum walks in brain microtubules--a biomolecular basis for quantum cognition?
Topics in Cognitive Science 2014 DOI: 10.1111/tops.12068 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Agency Consciousness Dendritic integration Microtubules Orch or Quantum cognition Quantum walk Tubulin Volition |
| Key points | Argues that quantum walks in a Feynman chessboard are conceptually identical to topological qubits in brain neuronal microtubules as described in the Penrose-Hameroff 'Orch OR' theory of consciousness. |
Abstract
Cognitive decisions are best described by quantum mathematics. Do quantum information devices operate in the brain? What would they look like? Fuss and Navarro () describe quantum lattice registers in which quantum superpositioned pathways interact (compute/integrate) as 'quantum walks' akin to Feynman's path integral in a lattice (e.g. the 'Feynman quantum chessboard'). Simultaneous alternate pathways eventually reduce (collapse), selecting one particular pathway in a cognitive decision, or choice. This paper describes how quantum walks in a Feynman chessboard are conceptually identical to 'topological qubits' in brain neuronal microtubules, as described in the Penrose-Hameroff 'Orch OR' theory of consciousness.