Journal of Integrative Neuroscience - Volume 16, issue s1

Authors: Cocchi, Massimo

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170060

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S1-S2, 2017

Authors: Accorsi, P.A. | Mondo, E. | Cocchi, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Consciousness is the greatest enigma in human history. For centuries scientists and researchers have tried to describe it without coming to conclusions. In the last years with the neurosciences development, consciousness has become the common goal of numerous studies. But consciousness has always been studied only in humans, but after “Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness” in 2012, even non-human animalsthey feel possessed of the consciousness. According to “theory Orch-OR” of Hameroff and Penrose we have conducted a study on Alaskan malamute and German shepherd to analysed a triplet of platelet fatty acids (linoleic acid; palmitic acid; arachidonic acid). Through these analysis …and the relative mapping of subjects within a SOM it was possible to make an assessment of the possible onset of mood disorders in the dogs. A critical analysis of the results obtained shows that animals have molecular analogies with humans compared to mood disorders. The German shepherd and Alaskan malamute, indeed, have, in the case of major depression, a bio-chemical profile, the most similar to man. Show more

Keywords: Mood disorder, platelets, fatty acids, membrane viscosity, animal consciousness, self-organizing map

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170061

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S3-S11, 2017

Authors: Cocchi, Massimo | Gabrielli, Fabio | Tonello, Lucio | Tuszynski, Jack

Article Type: Brief Report

Abstract: In this paper, we present some diverse points of view on the issue of the quantum brain. The paper is structured in the form of opening statements by each of the co-authors followed by comments and critique presented by the other co-authors. The main focus of the discussion is on the interplay between the state of being alive and consciousness, both of which possess characteristics of quantum physical states.

Keywords: Quantum brain, quantum biology, symmetry breaking, depression, consciousness, life and death

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170062

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S13-S18, 2017

Authors: Cerri, Matteo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: While human hibernation would provide many advantages for medical applications and space exploration, the intrinsic risks of the procedure itself, as well as those involved if the procedure were to be misused, need to be assessed. Moreover, the distinctive brain state that is present during a hibernation-like state raises questions regarding the state of consciousness of the subject. Since, in animal studies, the cortical activity of this state differs from that of sleep, coma, or even general anesthesia, and resembles a sort of “slowed wakefulness”, it is uncertain whether residual consciousness may still be present. In this review, I will …present a brief summary of the literature on hibernation and of the current state of the art in inducing a state of artificial hibernation (synthetic torpor); I will then focus on the brain changes that are observed during hibernation, on how these could modify the neural substrate of consciousness, and on the possible use of hibernation as a model for quantum biology. Finally, some ethical considerations on the use of synthetic torpor technology will be presented. Show more

Keywords: Hibernation, consciousness, synthetic torpor, tau protein, quantum biology, thermoregulation, metabolism, synapses

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170063

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S19-S26, 2017

Authors: Reddy, J. Shashi Kiran | Pereira, Contzen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Microorganisms demonstrate conscious-like intelligent behaviour, and this form of consciousness may have emerged from a quantum mediated mechanism as observed in cytoskeletal structures like the microtubules present in nerve cells which apparently have the architecture to quantum compute. This paper hypothesises the emergence of proto-consciousness in primitive cytoskeletal systems found in the microbial kingdoms of archaea, bacteria and eukarya. To explain this, we make use of the Subject–Object Model (SOM) of consciousness which evaluates the rise of the degree of consciousness to conscious behaviour in these systems supporting the hypothesis of emergence and propagation of conscious behaviour during the pre-Cambrian …part of Earth’s evolutionary history. Consciousness as proto-consciousness or sentience computed via primitive cytoskeletal structures substantiates as a driver for the intelligence observed in the microbial world during this period ranging from single-cellular to collective intelligence as a means to adapt and survive. The growth in complexity of intelligence, cytoskeletal system and adaptive behaviours are key to evolution, and thus supports the progression of the Lamarckian theory of evolution driven by quantum mediated proto-consciousness to consciousness as described in the SOM of consciousness. Show more

Keywords: Proto-Consciousness, cytoskeleton, Orch-OR theory, microbial intelligence, Lamarckian theory, quantum biology, SOM

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170064

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S27-S36, 2017

Authors: Globus, Gordon

Article Type: Brief Report

Abstract: The appearing of world is approached via the dream world which has generally been thought to be merely derivative: a “composition” of memory traces from waking life, which are merged and fused into a dream world that in some instances can be indiscernable from the world of waking life. Two dreams are presented which challenge the composition theory of dream formation. An alternative unified theory of world appearance in both waking and dreaming is proposed, which makes use of developments in quantum brain dynamics. For this “monadological” proposal the wake world and the dream world are ontologically at parity. This …surprising conclusion extends the quantum revolution to our very Existenz . Show more

Keywords: Dream world, compositional theory of dreams, monadology, quantum brain theory, deconstruction

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170065

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S37-S42, 2017

Authors: Pregnolato, Massimo | Damiani, Giuseppe | Pereira Jr., Alfredo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Intra and inter-cellular calcium signaling is present in all types of cells and body tissues. In the human brain, calcium currents and waves are related to mental activities, including emotions. We present a theoretical interpretation of these phenomena suggesting their involvement in chronic emotional patterns and in the pathology of cancer. Recent developments on biophysics, translational biology and psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (PNEI) can support explanatory hypotheses about the link between emotional stresses and the origin and development of different types of tumor cells. Chronic stresses may cause perturbations of rhythms of the PNEI system, excessive activation of HPA axis and abnormal activation …of calcium signals in somatic tissues, with deleterious effects on different parts of the body. The increasing of calcium signaling inside cells may lead to a deregulation of different pathways and epigenetic systems that promote the production of genomic mutations in a second phase. In particular, the hyperactivation of the transcription nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κ B), if is not counterbalanced by the following activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NFE2L2 or Nrf2), increases the production of oxidative catabolites, as the advanced glycation end products (AGE), which play a key role in the progression of different types of cancer and other degenerative diseases. Cortisol binding to glucocorticoid receptor (GR) reduces the activity of both NF-κ B and Nrf2 inside the cells but inhibits the cellular immunity and the anabolic processes of tissue regeneration. The tissue atrophy and the defective anti-ageing mechanisms promotes the tumoral cells growth and their escape from the immune-surveillance. Show more

Keywords: Calcium signaling, chronic emotion, cancer, psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology, translational biology

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170066

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S43-S63, 2017

Authors: Mender, Donald

Article Type: Brief Report

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170067

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S65-S68, 2017

Authors: Traina, Giovanna

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Mast cells (MCs) are mainly known for their involvement on allergic reactions through degranulation and release of vasoactive, inflammatory and nociceptive mediators. Upon encountering an allergen, MCs are first responders, true sensors of the environment, actually they respond to a wide range of “danger” signals both immunological and non-immunological in rapid and selective manner. They secrete both preformed and newly synthesized mediators acting as effectors in relationship between nervous, vascular and immune systems. For this peculiarity, MCs are “master regulators” and key players of the immune system as well as important source of essential and beneficial mediators with crucial roles …in the regulation of various physiological processes. MCs are unique cells with multiple capabilities. It has well known that MCs are critical for the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease. MCs exert their effect through alteration of vascular permeability and recruitment of inflammatory cells. While a functional involvement of peripheral MCs in inflammatory conditions is well established, the role of Central Nervous System MCs is not well understood yet. Increasing evidence indicate that in the brain, the inflammation is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. In this review, we discuss some aspects of the current knowledge of MCs role in the brain and their potential role as therapeutic emerging target for neural diseases. Show more

Keywords: Mast cells, brain, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, neurogenesis, neuroimmune interaction, synaptic plasticity, depression, gut-brain axis

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170068

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S69-S83, 2017

Authors: Capolupo, Antonio | Kozma, Robert | Olivares del Campo, Andrés | Vitiello, Giuseppe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Average evoked potential data recorded as impulse responses of brains to electric shocks show Bessel-like functional distributions which we analyze in terms of couples of damped/amplified oscillators. This reproduces results obtained in terms of ordinary differential equations (Freeman K-sets) and offers the possibility of a direct connection with the dissipative model of brain in the quantum gauge field theory paradigm. We study the control mechanism by fine tuning the model parameters and the brain property of discriminating between two similar behaviors or perceptions. We suggest that a similar control mechanism may be useful in security communication protocols. Finally, brain activity …and mental activity is considered in the light of our results. Show more

Keywords: Cortex dynamics, Freeman K-sets, Bessel equations, many-body dissipative model

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170069

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S85-S98, 2017

Authors: Cocchi, Massimo | Bernroider, G. | Rasenick, Mark | Tonello, Lucio | Gabrielli, Fabio | Tuszynski, Jack A.

Article Type: Brief Report

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170070

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S99-S103, 2017

Authors: Bernroider, Gustav

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Subject–object relations reflect the relation of phenomenology and physics and are at the centre of interest in brain research and neuro-psychology. The unresolved dichotomy behind this relation is one of the most challenging questions of our time. Setting out from causal modelling I suggest a particular topology for subject–object relations and argue that we can find a physical realization in living organism that provides a continuous transform between both domains. In a geometrical metaphor this transform has the topological properties of a one-sided surface or non-orientable flat. I argue that such a surface can be found within the electronic organization …of atomic linings in the filter region of ion-conducting membrane proteins. Electron transfer along these atomic surfaces makes chiral induced spin changes to a promising signature of subject–object relations and has found experimental evidence in previous studies. I finally advocate the view that there is a basic dualism between subject and object which is physical on both sides and realized by an inversion relation along one-sided surfaces. The transition between these two aspects however is non-physical and hosts the phenomenology that characterizes subjectivity. Show more

Keywords: Subject–object relations, subjectivity, experience, micro-psychism, causal modelling, chemical topology, Möbius strip, brain dynamics, ion-channel proteins, electron transfer, chiral-induced spin selectivity, helicity of particles, spin changes

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170071

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S105-S113, 2017

Authors: Burhani, Mansoor D. | Rasenick, Mark M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and even though many forms of therapy exist, about one third of patients treated with conventional antidepressants do not experience a response. For these reasons, new approaches to treat depression, including fish oil, are being investigated. Fish oil is known to have many beneficial side effects, and clinical trials demonstrate that supplementation with fish oil is beneficial in the management of depression. Fish oil contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and there are several mechanisms by which PUFAs are thought to induce an antidepressant effect, including anti-inflammatory action and direct effects on …membrane properties. This review will analyze and evaluate the clinical trials surrounding fish oil use in the treatment of depression, and will also review the likely sites of action of PUFAs at the cell membrane with special attention being placed on lipid rafts and G-proteins. Show more

Keywords: G-protein, GPCR, lipid raft, depression, antidepressant, omega-3 fatty acids, cAMP

DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170072

Citation: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. s1, pp. S115-S124, 2017