Linear and Nonlinear Thinking - Excerpt

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The scope of the inter-neuron zone includes the neuron sections (transmitters and receptors) between which the N or D molecules travel in their "task-cycles" (bringing about signal boosting, as we’ll see). Now, considering each neuronal section a separate system unto itself – taking as the analogue the sperm cell travelling across the inter-body area between male and female biological systems – as the example of impregnation resulting in a major biological event (that is, pregnancy) very well reveals:– in the context of such coupled biological systems, the transmitter's journey in inter-section area is of much importance and meaning, generally.

Of particular importance are the largest neurotransmitters operating in the inter-neuron zone, that is: D, S, and N; that’s why we study them.

Dopamine engages in a “one-to-one” transmutation; Norepi engages in a “many-to-one” transmutation of in-brain electric signals.

The meaning of the term Long Term Potentiation ascribed to spines: “Long-term memory is mediated in part by the growth of new dendritic spines (or the enlargement of pre-existing spines) to reinforce a particular neural pathway”. As a spine grows, DLMSs grow within it. NLMSs sprout in Axon terminals in another similar process.

We study that in chapter 3. Before that, let’s read of the major enemy of the analytic-educated world, dementia, whose cause we’ll expose:

- “Deter showed symptoms like loss of memory and delusions. She would have trouble sleeping, would drag sheets across the house, and scream for hours in the middle of the night”.

- Dementia means “without mind”. Alzheimer’s Disease is “characterized by loss of neurons” (brain cells).

- “AD can progress undiagnosed for years”.

- “Growing impairment eventually leads to diagnosis.” Though AD is typically undiagnosed, diagnosed AD is common: 1 in 10 over 65, 1 in 2 over 85, suffer AD!

- Heidi Evans quotes a report from the Centers for Disease Control which shows that "1 in 3 senior citizens now dies with Alzheimer's disease“, and “Alzheimer’s deaths have increased 68% from 2000 to 2010, while deaths from other major diseases such as heart disease, stroke and breast cancer have all declined".

- Human lifespan is up to 120 years, but dementias cut it short.

- This book explores the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias

- Dopamine (D) & Norepi (aka Norepinephrine aka Noradrenaline aka N), whose micro-systems reside in and around the dendrite and axon respectively, are the two most important chemicals in the brain – that is, in the psychological frame of reference – a claim which will be proven shortly.

The systems within which they act – may be called the Dopamine-linked Micro-system (DLMS) and the Norepi-linked Micro-System (NLMS).

- How do the DLMS and the NLMS work?

D and N, or the DLMS and NLMS, are structurally and functionally similar.

Figure 4: Dopamine and Norepi

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They both work by boosting (valid) signals. As signals march through the brain, they either weaken and fade away or are boosted (energy is added to them) i.e. amplified; this boosting, i.e., amplification – is the role of the DLMS/NLMS; about this boosting, it is said:

- "Intracortical currents are triggered by the release of neurotransmitters”

- “Neuromodulators like noradrenaline, dopamine or serotonin have indirect modulating effects" - Frodl-Bauch et al., 1999, as quoted in Nieuwenhuis, 2005.

- They “enhance the synaptic responses of cortical neurons... increasing the gain of cortical neuronal activity”, thus (Norepi) “serves to amplify signal conduction" (Nieuwenhuis, 2005).

- Self-evidently, amplification of signal is one of the NLMS’s major tasks. Similar is the role of the DLMS, for D and N are structurally and hence functionally similar.

So we can say that the DLMS or the NLMS has signal-modification-related roles.

That is, “quantum psychological” roles.

- The DLMS and NLMS both work by boosting valid signals.

- What signals/signal combinations are considered valid – Is the question?

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3: Two Types of Signalling

Signalling characteristics of the NLMS and the DLMS

We study:

Monoconditional signalling in the Dopamine (D)-linked micro-system (DLMS)

Multiconditional signalling in the Norepi (N)-linked micro-system (NLMS)

In this chapter, we shall prove that Dopamine (to be precise, the DLMS) operates if some particular stimuli (or its signals) is present; and Norepi/NLMS operates if more than one signals are present.

Assumption: If D is in transit in an organism, then mostly it means that DLMS activity is on-going; similar assumption is made for Norepi.

The boosting characteristic common to the DLMS and the NLMS:

How the DLMS is "receptive"

Statement to be proven:

The DLMS works in a certain stimuli-reactive style ("receptive"); but the O/NLMS works in a totally different style not reactive to any given stimuli – which may be called "generative".

The DLMSs’ stimuli-reactive nature is observable empirically; in the next exhibits, see the consistent presence of characterizable stimuli (which are associated with what we can call the DLMS task-cycle).

- Exhibit 1:

In plants, D is involved with browning (Mayer, AM, 2006) in response to injury. Injury felt by the plant is a stimuli; occurrence triggers DLMSplant activity, a reaction to stimuli. Such presence of stimuli, in the