Paper Info
Title
Importance Of Quantum Decoherence In Brain Processes
Abstract
Based on a calculation of neural decoherence rates, we argue that the degrees of freedom of the human brain that relate to cognitive processes should be thought of as a classical rather than quantum system, i.e., that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the current classical approach to neural network simulations, We find that the decoherence time scales (similar to 10(-13)- 10(-20) s) are typically much shorter than the relevant dynamical time scales (similar to 10(-3)-10(-1) s), both for regular neuron firing and for kinklike polarization excitations in microtubules. This conclusion disagrees with suggestions by Penrose and others that the brain acts as a quantum computer, and that quantum coherence is related to consciousness in a fundamental way.
Year
DOI
Venue
1999
10.1103/PhysRevE.61.4194
PHYSICAL REVIEW E
Keywords
Field
DocType
degree of freedom,quantum computer,cognitive process,neural network
Open quantum system,Quantum Zeno effect,Quantum process,Quantum mechanics,Quantum dissipation,Quantum decoherence,Quantum information,Classical mechanics,Quantum operation,Quantum error correction,Physics
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
61
4
1539-3755
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
11
2.53
0
Authors
1
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Max Tegmark116016.27