Can You Intensify Experience by "Overclocking" Your Brain?

Different parts of the brain communicate with each other via frequency modulation, involving high frequency gamma waves modulated by low frequency theta waves. Presumably, the higher the frequency of the gamma carrier wave, the greater the possible communication bandwidth and the faster a high fidelity signal could be passed accurately. Far more easily said than done, of course.

Neurons recruited for local computations exhibit rhythmic activity at gamma frequencies. The amplitude and frequency of these oscillations are continuously modulated depending on stimulus and behavioral state. This modulation is believed to crucially control information flow across cortical areas....by rapidly balancing excitation with inhibition, the hippocampal network is able to swiftly modulate gamma oscillations over a wide band of frequencies. _ScienceDirect

SPIE
Besides finding ways to prolong one's life, it would be worthwhile to find ways to live one's life more intensely. In earlier postings on Al Fin Longevity, we have discussed ways in which we might reduce the amount of time spent in sleep, without suffering from diminished mental or physical health. There are also everyday ways in which a person can intensify his experience of his waking time. Some examples are listed at the end of this piece.

From the neurocognitive standpoint, the concept of the controlled "overclocking" of the brain -- speeding up the functioning of brain processes so that more can be experienced and accomplished in less time -- is just coming into the realm of possiblity. The concept, once developed, will rest upon a sound understanding of brain processing and inter-brain communications.

Brain activity changes between different brain states, whether awake, asleep, drugged, etc. Besides the activation of different centers in the brain according to brain state, the actual speed (frequency) of brain activity varies with different brain states.

It is thought that synchronous oscillations involving gamma carrier waves (30 to 100 Hz) modulated by theta frequencies (4 to 8 Hz) allow multiple brain processes to occur, including the transfer of working memory to long-term memory, and the binding of different sensory or other inputs into a coherent mental image of an object or idea. In other words, the way the oscillations of the brain are organised on a moment to moment basis, is what allows us to "think" and remember. (see Working Memory: The Importance of Theta and Gamma Oscillations, Lisman, Current Biology Vol 20 No 11)

Gamma oscillations are thought to transiently link distributed cell assemblies that are processing related information1, 2, a function that is probably important for network processes such as perception1, 2, 3, attentional selection4 and memory5, 6. This 'binding' mechanism requires that spatially distributed cells fire together with millisecond range precision7, 8; _Nature

A microcomputer has a synchronous clock that controls the speed of the processes being run. A brain has no such central clock controller, but higher brain function does involve transient locked synchrony between different parts of the brain. How could we speed up this synchrony as it spontaneously occurs and disappears across the cortex?

We know that the top end of the gamma "carrier wave" frequency can vary between types of animals. Some kinds of insects, for example, exhibit brain synchrony at frequencies up to 200 Hz in certain circuits. (Kirschfeld PNAS USA Vol. 89, pp. 4764-4768, May 1992 Neurobiology)

Different frequencies of gamma oscillation serve to connect different brain centers, in practise. This allows for simultaneous parallel activity between multiple circuits. Therefore, when "overclocking," one must be sure not to "step on" the frequencies used by different brain circuits.

There are a number of other cautions, assuming that one had a good idea how to begin to go about ramping up gamma oscillation carrier wave frequencies in the first place. The intricacy of neuronal signaling of brain circuits should discourage any attempts to permanently alter neuronal oscillatory activity. For example, gamma frequencies are closely controlled and modulated by inhibitory interneurons. You cannot change the timing of just one type of cell and expect to maintain a system of smooth communication between brain nuclei. Rather, multiple keys that control the timing of networks across the brain will have to be discovered and mastered.

Al Fin neuroscientists believe that the key to fruitful research along these lines will be found in the field of optogenomics. But Al Fin neuropharmacologists are convinced that they can develop a drug medley which could accomplish the same thing. The biological limits of cognitive functioning will not be easily transcended by just one breakthrough from one particular field of research.

Why should we bother to attempt something which will require so much work? It is possible, after all, to intensify the experience of everyday life without resorting to the extremes of genetic modification of the brain. Below are some of the everyday means by which some persons provide themselves with temporary experiences of high intensity consciousness:

Pharmacological brain stimulants have been used for this purpose for centuries, but in general they extract a steep price from the user who does not exercise prudence. Veterans of combat can attest to the consciousness-intensifying effect of the life-or-death experience. But we are looking for something more sustainable and less risky. Sky-diving, hang gliding, scuba diving, whitewater kayaking, etc. are less risky than combat, but provide a temporary aura of intensity which lingers after the experience. In occupational settings, life or death emergencies attended to by firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, medical personnel in hospitals, etc. provide temporary "fixes" of intensity. And under the category of "not to be recommended," the commission of a crime and the attendant risk of being caught supplies the outlaw with a feeling of intensity which can become addictive to some. Similarly, committing acts which may be legal but which are socially or occupationally frowned upon, can sometimes provide a touch of that "outlaw intensity," that accompanies risk.

Perhaps the most dangerous method of intensifying experience is to fall in love. The fallout from such a turn is apt to be fatal to any number of persons involved, or in the immediate vicinity. ;-)

Still, the challenges of the modern day world require a significantly higher level of insight and invention than is typically found within populations at large -- even within high IQ populations made up of largely European or East Asian peoples. The inertia of the monkey mind is difficult to overcome. And still we keep trying.

Adapted from an earlier article at Al Fin Longevity

Brain from the Bottom Up: Spontaneous Birth of Synchrony in Small Neuronal Networks

More 13 July 2011: Brian Wang looks at the same research, with an emphasis on the hardware (electronic) aspect. It is fitting to look at both the neurons and the electronics, since the coming cybernetic biosingularity will be dependent upon both.

Human intelligence and consciousness are poorly understood, even by cognitive scientists, neuroscientists, and consciousness specialists. No one understands how to build a human intelligence from scratch, much less how to build a non-human intelligence capable of interacting with humans and the outside world on its own terms. But researchers at Tel Aviv University from the departments of Electrical Engineering and Physics, have taken a fascinating approach to building the basic components of brains: networks of biological neurons. Something wonderful happened when enough cultured neurons linked together in network: They spontaneously "synched up."

Background


Information processing in neuronal networks relies on the network's ability to generate temporal patterns of action potentials. Although the nature of neuronal network activity has been intensively investigated in the past several decades at the individual neuron level, the underlying principles of the collective network activity, such as the synchronization and coordination between neurons, are largely unknown. Here we focus on isolated neuronal clusters in culture and address the following simple, yet fundamental questions: What is the minimal number of cells needed to exhibit collective dynamics? What are the internal temporal characteristics of such dynamics and how do the temporal features of network activity alternate upon crossover from minimal networks to large networks?


Methodology/Principal Findings


We used network engineering techniques to induce self-organization of cultured networks into neuronal clusters of different sizes. We found that small clusters made of as few as 40 cells already exhibit spontaneous collective events characterized by innate synchronous network oscillations in the range of 25 to 100 Hz. The oscillation frequency of each network appeared to be independent of cluster size. The duration and rate of the network events scale with cluster size but converge to that of large uniform networks. Finally, the investigation of two coupled clusters revealed clear activity propagation with master/slave asymmetry.

Conclusions/Significance


The nature of the activity patterns observed in small networks, namely the consistent emergence of similar activity across networks of different size and morphology, suggests that neuronal clusters self-regulate their activity to sustain network bursts with internal oscillatory features. We therefore suggest that clusters of as few as tens of cells can serve as a minimal but sufficient functional network, capable of sustaining oscillatory activity. Interestingly, the frequencies of these oscillations are similar those observed in vivo. _PLoS

More papers by Mark Shein Idelson

Brain synchrony is an important topic of study, linked to consciousness, memory, learning, and normal function of general human brain activity. But synchronous oscillations are also programmed into the neurons themselves, at the smallest level of neuronal organisation. The challenge now, is to build "networks of networks", to discover the communications strategies which interconnected networks will evolve.

Contrast such a biological, bottom up approach with complex machine models of brain function such as the SpiNNaker project out of the University of Manchester, or the Human Brain Project (HBP) led by Henry Markram at Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne.

Both of the above brain modeling approaches using computers, are based upon bottom-up theories of how brains work. The Lausanne project (HBP) is far more detailed -- going down to the ion channel level of neurons. The Manchester approach is impressive in its parallel computing ambitions, but it begins at the individual "neuronal spiking" level. SpiNNaker is more of a hybrid CompSci:Neurosci approach, than an actual model of the brain like the HBP.

Conventional artificial intelligence approaches do not mimic brain function closely, and are generally more "top-down" approaches, utilising conventional algorithmic concepts of mainstream computer science. Such approaches are doomed to failure before they even begin, as the last 70 years of conventional AI attempts continue to demonstrate.

In reality, brains must be grown. And new types of brains have to be evolved. Not necessarily from biological materials, but up until now the only working brains we know are biological. The first successful autonomous brains are likely to be evolved either from biological materials, or using ingenious abstractions of processes which emerge from biological mechanisms.

Al Fin cognitive scientists suggest that both the Lausanne approach and the Manchester approach are abstracted at the wrong level, to provide rapid paths to evolved intelligences. Creative human beings will have to discover the appropriate balance, but they will certainly be aided by computing systems in doing so. This is not gobbledygook nor is it AI-psychobabble. It is the genuine crux and pivot point of the problem.

What are the implications for the singularity? There will be no "uploading of consciousness" for the foreseeable future. The cyborg biosingularity is still on schedule for the decade between 2020 and 2030, if humans can avoid an extended Obama Dark Ages. The main question is how many of the cyborg components will be biological in origin, and how many will be non-biological (probably utilising nanotechnology).

In the Brain, Inhibition Sets Us Free

Our brains would not be able to function without inhibitory inter-neurons. The best description that I have read describing how interneurons control brain activity comes from Gyorgy Buzsaki's excellent book, "Rhythms of the Brain."

Scholarpedia presents a nice, brief description of inhibitory interneurons:

The importance of inhibition in the brain is aptly illustrated by the fact that in addition to excitatory principal cells, the brain contains diverse classes of specialized inhibitory interneurons that selectively innervate specific parts of the somatodendritic surfaces of principal cells and other interneurons. In the cortex, axon terminals of interneurons release gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) onto their synaptic targets, where the inhibitory action can compete with the excitatory forces brought about by the principal cells. However, inhibitory interneurons do much more than just provide stop signals for excitation. Proper dynamics in neuronal networks can only be maintained if the excitatory forces are counteracted by effective inhibitory forces. With only excitatory cells, it would be difficult to create form or order or secure some autonomy for transiently active groups, the hypothetical "cell assemblies", because in interconnected networks, excitation begets more excitation. Interneurons, by way of their inhibitory actions, provide the necessary autonomy and independence to neighboring principal cells. The functional diversity of principal cells can also be enhanced by the membrane domain-specific actions of GABAergic interneurons. Additionally, the opposing actions of excitation and inhibition often give rise to membrane and network oscillations which, in turn, provide temporal coordination of the messages conveyed by principal cells. _Scholarpedia

The image above and to the right illustrates a simple 2 neuron oscillator composed of an excitatory neuron and an inhibitory (inter) neuron. Input from the outside is always excitatory, and it is the turning on and off of the inhibitory neuron which accounts for the assembly's oscillation. The image below illustrates a 3 neuron oscillator, with the assembly on the left oscillating at 40 Hz and the assembly on the right oscillating at 30 Hz. The input from the NMDA neuron at the upper left determines which of the two oscillators is operating.

Image SourceReal neuronal assemblies in the brain are far more complex than these simple oscillators. But it helps to picture something simple before thinking about more complex and realistic assemblies -- which have a lot more things that can go wrong. Researchers at Baylor University have recently discovered a genetic variation that leads to dysfunction of inhibitory interneurons in Rett Syndrome -- a devastating neurologic disease of early childhood leading to severe problems of intellectual and motor development.

Children, mostly girls, born with Rett syndrome, appear normal at first, but stop or slow intellectual and motor development between three months and three years of age, losing speech, developing learning and gait problems. Some of their symptoms resemble those of autism.

These inhibitory (gamma-amino-butyric-acid [GABA]-ergic) neurons make up only 15 to 20 percent of the total number of neurons in the brain. Loss of MeCP2 causes a 30 to 40 percent reduction in the amount of GABA, the specific signaling chemical made by these neurons. This loss impairs how these neurons communicate with other neurons in the brain. These inhibitory neurons keep the brakes on the communication system, enabling proper transfer of information.

"In effect, the lack of MeCP2 impairs the GABAergic neurons that are key regulators governing the transfer of information in the brain," said Dr. Hsiao-Tuan Chao, an M.D./Ph.D student in Zoghbi's laboratory and first author of the report.

..."This study taught us that an alteration in the signal from GABAergic neurons is sufficient to produce features of autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders," said Zoghbi, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital. _SD

It does not require much interference in the normal operation of the molecular biology of the brain to cause severe dysfunction. The pathway of the dysfunction -- from molecule to synapse to cell assembly to developmental and behavioural dysfunction -- is intriguingly complex on many levels.

My main interest in this regard, is the transient long distance synchrony of cell assembly oscillatory activity in different parts of the brain. It would take several lifetimes to understand such phenomena in all their variation, origination, and modification. The implications of such understanding to human learning, creativity, health and disease, personality, and so on, are profound.


Inhibitory Interneurons and Network Oscillations

Some background reading on the phase-locking of neural populations via inhibitory interneurons PDF [Notice: Opening PDF documents can tie up a browser for several moments. If you think you want to download a PDF document, you may want to right click and select "save linked content as" option.]

Human Oscillatory Brain Activity near 40 Hz Correlates with Cognitive Temporal Binding PDF