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Neural coordination can be enhanced by occasional interruption of normal firing patterns: a self-optimizing spiking neural network model.

Alexander Woodward, Tom Froese, Takashi Ikegami

Neural Networks February 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.neunet.2014.08.011 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or computational modeling paper Peer reviewed
Topics Altered states of consciousness
Keywords Global neural coordination Hopfield network Psychedelics Self-optimization Spiking neurons
Key points The authors demonstrate that a self-optimizing spiking neural network can emulate a Hopfield network with Hebbian learning and that the self-optimizing process remains effective, suggesting its efficacy is independent of the simplifying assumptions of a conventional Hopfield network. They argue this may help connect rate-based and temporal coding systems, while noting further work is needed to make the model more realistic.

Abstract

The state space of a conventional Hopfield network typically exhibits many different attractors of which only a small subset satisfies constraints between neurons in a globally optimal fashion. It has recently been demonstrated that combining Hebbian learning with occasional alterations of normal neural states avoids this problem by means of self-organized enlargement of the best basins of attraction. However, so far it is not clear to what extent this process of self-optimization is also operative in real brains. Here we demonstrate that it can be transferred to more biologically plausible neural networks by implementing a self-optimizing spiking neural network model. In addition, by using this spiking neural network to emulate a Hopfield network with Hebbian learning, we attempt to make a connection between rate-based and temporal coding based neural systems. Although further work is required to make this model more realistic, it already suggests that the efficacy of the self-optimizing process is independent from the simplifying assumptions of a conventional Hopfield network. We also discuss natural and cultural processes that could be responsible for occasional alteration of neural firing patterns in actual brains.

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Altered States of Consciousness 1966 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Functional neuroanatomy of altered states of consciousness: The transient hypofrontality hypothesis 2003 Theoretical or philosophical paper
The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death 1969 Theoretical or philosophical paper
A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics 2022 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation 2003 Theoretical or philosophical paper

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