This is an interesting article that I read in Scientific American:
The brain´s dark energy It is about research that shows that the brain is constantly active, especially in a system that is called the brain´s default mode network (DMN). It is called DMN because it is the network that is always active, no matter what state of consciousness you are in. It is believed that this network synchronizes all other parts of the brain by sending timing information. This ensures the brain to react in unison to a stimuli (for instance, perceiving the color a stimuli at the same time as seeing the spatial dimensions of it). The DMN can be found in several regions of the brain, such as the temporal cortex, the prefrontal cortex and the parietal cortex. Without DMN, it is believed that the electrical signaling in the brain would be chaotic. The electrical signaling of the different areas of the brain is believed to be hierarchically organized. At the highest level is the DMN, which acts as the symphony conductor over the other parts of the brain. On the next organizational level are the slow cortical potentials (SCP), which are groups of neurons that fire every 10 seconds. SCP:s are synchronized with the electrical oscillations of DMN, and coordinates brain activity in specific brain regions. Without DMN and SCP:s the brain activity will turn chaotic (maybe a bit like Bangkok traffic) and it is believed that many brain disorders, such as Alzheimer´s disease, depression and schizophrenia have dysfunctional DMN activity.
3 Comments
New
6/14/2011 01:29:05 am
This might be a lil bit out of the topic. But the DMN strongly reminds me of Apple's new service introduced in the WWDC 2011. Steve Job calls it the iCloud. Known as a wireless storage system large enough to store ALL you information from all your apple products (eg. iPad, iPhone, Macbook, Apple TV)
Reply
Mr Hansson
6/14/2011 07:32:52 pm
New, it is not off topic. We often use computer models and technology when trying to understand how the mind works. AI researchers even believe that there is not much difference between the functions of a brain/mind and the computations of a computer. We already know it is possible to merge technology with brain functions.
Reply
New
6/14/2011 09:41:32 pm
Seen it before Mr. Hansson. But i have to admit. Steve Jobs has this level of conviction that is almost hypnotic to their fans and audiences.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorThis is my class blog for IB Psychology. Here I will publish reflections on psychology, reviews of psychology books, recommended links, lecture notes, and information on psychology topics that are not covered by the syllabus. You are free to add comments or ask me questions. Archives
August 2015
Categories
All
|