Simplifying Complexity The brain as a complex system
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Nov 25, 2024 In this intriguing discussion, Christopher Lynn, an Assistant Professor of Physics at Yale specializing in network science, uncovers how our brains operate as complex networks. He highlights the parallels in neuron interactions across species, revealing the staggering complexity of brain function. The conversation dives into how simple neuronal interactions give rise to advanced cognitive abilities and explores groundbreaking advancements in connectomics, including a digital twin of the fruit fly brain, providing insights into neural networks and their unexpected properties.
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Brain as a Network
- The brain is a vast network of interconnected neurons.
- These neurons operate by simple rules, yet collectively produce complex phenomena like consciousness.
Neuron Count Comparison
- The human brain contains roughly 100 billion neurons, far exceeding the Earth's population.
- A fruit fly brain, by comparison, has about 100,000 neurons, illustrating a vast difference in scale.
Neuron Firing Rules
- Neurons receive weighted signals from neighbors, firing when a combined threshold is reached.
- Recent research suggests more complex interactions may occur, involving specific combinations of firing neurons.