Yes. Ed etc., what comes to mind is Eugene Ishikevich (sp?) 's nonlinear dynamics models of fast and slow dynamics in neurons, which are based on ion channel models similar to (but more sophisticated in some cases than) the classic Hodgkin-Huxley equations
Potentially the gene switching under discussion could affect some of the parameters in Ishikevich's equations, thus modifying the behavior of neurons. In Ishikevich's equations, classic LTP would take the form of modifying certain of the equational parameters, whereas this gene switching could take the form of modifying others. Note, I'm not selling Ishikevich's stuff as a final and correct model of neurodynamics -- just pointing it out as one interesting brain model that potentially would explain how these gene switches could conceivable affect learning via affecting holistic brain dynamics ... attractors and all that fun stuff... -- Ben G On Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 5:12 PM, Terren Suydam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I think the key is to see the gene switching not as an information store per > se but as part of a larger dynamic process (which might be similar in > principle to simulated annealing), in which the contributions of whole > neurons (e.g., the outputs) are switched in some way meaningful to the > dynamic. > > --- On Wed, 12/3/08, Ed Porter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Ben, > > > > I basically agree. > > > > There many things going in the human brain. There are all the different > neuro- chemicals, receptors, and blockers, some of which are not only > effective across individual synapses, but often across broader distances. > There is the fact that neuron branches can apparently grow in directions > guided by chemical gradients. There are synchronies and brain waves, and > the way in which they might spatially encode or decode information. And so > on. > > > > So I admit the brain is much more complicated than most neural net models. > > > > But I have not seen any explanation of how changes in gene expression in a > neuron's nucleus would store memories, even given the knowledge that the > epigenome can store information. > > > > If there is such an explanation, either now or in the future, I would > welcome hearing it. > > > > Ed Porter > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ben Goertzel [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:24 PM > To: agi@v2.listbox.com > Subject: Re: [agi] Lamarck Lives!(?) > > > > On Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 3:19 PM, Ed Porter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Terry and Ben, > >> > >> > >> > >> I never implied anything that could be considered a "memory" at a >> conscious > >> level is stored at just one synapse, but all the discussions I have heard >> of > >> learning in various brain science books and lectures imply synaptic >> weights > >> are the main place of our memories are stored. > > > > Nevertheless, although it's an oft-repeated and well-spread meme, the > > available biological evidence shows only that **this is one aspect of > > the biological basis of memory in organisms with complex brains** > > > > There certainly is data about long-term potentiation and its > > relationship to memory ... but the available data comes nowhere near > > to justifying the sorts of assumptions made in setting up formal > > neural net models, in which synaptic modification is assumed as the > > sole basis of learning/memory... > > > > ben g > > > > > > ------------------------------------------- > > agi > > Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now > > RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/ > > Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?&; > > Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com > > ________________________________ > agi | Archives | Modify Your Subscription > > ________________________________ > agi | Archives | Modify Your Subscription -- Ben Goertzel, PhD CEO, Novamente LLC and Biomind LLC Director of Research, SIAI [EMAIL PROTECTED] "I intend to live forever, or die trying." -- Groucho Marx ------------------------------------------- agi Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/ Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=8660244&id_secret=120640061-aded06 Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
