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Quantum cognition: The possibility of processing with nuclear spins in the brain.

Authors :
Fisher, Matthew P.A.
Source :
Annals of Physics. Nov2015, Vol. 362, p593-602. 10p.
Publication Year :
2015

Abstract

The possibility that quantum processing with nuclear spins might be operative in the brain is explored. Phosphorus is identified as the unique biological element with a nuclear spin that can serve as a qubit for such putative quantum processing– a neural qubit –while the phosphate ion is the only possible qubit-transporter . We identify the “Posner molecule”, Ca 9 ( PO 4 ) 6 , as the unique molecule that can protect the neural qubits on very long times and thereby serve as a (working) quantum-memory . A central requirement for quantum-processing is quantum entanglement . It is argued that the enzyme catalyzed chemical reaction which breaks a pyrophosphate ion into two phosphate ions can quantum entangle pairs of qubits. Posner molecules, formed by binding such phosphate pairs with extracellular calcium ions, will inherit the nuclear spin entanglement. A mechanism for transporting Posner molecules into presynaptic neurons during vesicle endocytosis is proposed. Quantum measurements can occur when a pair of Posner molecules chemically bind and subsequently melt, releasing a shower of intra-cellular calcium ions that can trigger further neurotransmitter release and enhance the probability of post-synaptic neuron firing. Multiple entangled Posner molecules, triggering non-local quantum correlations of neuron firing rates, would provide the key mechanism for neural quantum processing. Implications, both in vitro and in vivo, are briefly mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00034916
Volume :
362
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Annals of Physics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
110386168
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2015.08.020