CAN QUANTUM PROCESSES CONTROL SYNAPTIC EMISSION?
International Journal of Neural Systems September 1, 1996 DOI: 10.1142/s0129065796000300 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 21 |
| Key points | Argues that only elementary microscopic processes, such as electron transfer in protein complexes, can withstand thermal fluctuations in the brain, and proposes a model linking quantal emission at the synaptic cleft to electron transfer between molecular states as described by Marcus theory. |
Abstract
The role of quantum processes in brain activity has been discussed intensively in recent years. Some authors regard the indeterminacy of quantum events as key property to relate brain activity and consciousness on a scientific basis. Here we ask the question where quantum events could be effective in the complex cortical structure. We argue that only elementary microscopic processes like electron transfer in protein complexes are able to survive thermal fluctuations. A model for the quantal emission process at the synaptic cleft is presented and related to the mechanism of electron transfer between different molecular states, as described by Marcus theory.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Synapses, Quantum Theory and Panpsychism NeuroQuantology June 4, 2008
- The quantum physics of synaptic communication via the SNARE protein complex. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology July 2018
- Is There a Link Between Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness? Brain, Mind and Consciousness in the History of Neuroscience 2014
- The 'hard problem' and the quantum physicists. Part 2: Modern times. Brain and Cognition November 2009