The human brain never fails to captivate us with its incredible intricacy. Scientists have made a fascinating discovery in the field of neuroscience and mathematics, revealing that the brain can generate structures with up to 11 dimensions when analyzing data. It's important to note that these "dimensions" refer to spaces, not physical realms. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the complexity of our minds and the world around us. Let's embark on this journey of scientific exploration together and marvel at the wonders of the human brain!
According to Henry Markram, who leads the Blue Brain Project this finding unveils a world that was previously unimaginable.
Unveiling the Blue Brain Project; Exploring the Depths of the Human Brain
The Blue Brain Project, based in Switzerland is an initiative with a goal to digitally simulate the brain with exceptional biological accuracy. With 86 billion neurons in our brains researchers aim to enhance our understanding of this complex organ by constructing digital replicas that include an unprecedented amount of biological information.
Where Supercomputers, Mathematics and Neuroscience Converge
To unravel the intricacies of such a network and grasp how it shapes our thoughts and actions scientists have utilized supercomputers and a unique branch of mathematics. In their study they employ a model of the neocortex which was completed back, in 2015.
Using a topology system the team investigates how this digital neocortex responds to various stimuli.
This approach revealed that our brain constantly constructs complex shapes and spaces similar, to "sandcastles."
The Significance of Algebraic Topology in Brain Understanding
Understanding the network within the brain poses a challenge without algebraic topology, a branch of mathematics that analyzes systems across dimensions. By utilizing this approach the researchers were able to identify a high level of organization within what initially seemed like chaotic patterns of neurons.
Kathryn Hess, the studys author explained, " topology functions as both a telescope and microscope. It can delve into networks to unveil structures while simultaneously observing the spaces."
From Theory to Reality; Testing in Practice
Initially the scientists tested their developed virtual brain tissue. Subsequently they conducted experiments on real rat brain tissue to validate their findings. When activated virtual neurons form connections with each other in a way that creates objects referred to as cliques. These cliques could potentially generate dimensions sometimes reaching, up to 11. The researchers identified these structures as surrounding openings known as "cavities."As the brain comprehended the information the group and hollow vanished.
Ran Levi, a researcher, explained how this process works: “The appearance of high-dimensional cavities when the brain is processing information means that the neurons in the network react to stimuli in an extremely organized manner. It is as if the brain reacts to a stimulus by building then razing a tower of multi-dimensional blocks, starting with rods (1D), then planks (2D), then cubes (3D), and then more complex geometries with 4D, 5D, etc. The progression of activity through the brain resembles a multi-dimensional sandcastle that materializes out of the sand and then disintegrates.”
The discovery is significant because it gives us a better grasp of “one of the fundamental mysteries of neuroscience – the link between the shape of the brain and how it processes information,” according to Kathryn Hess in an interview with Newsweek.
The scientists look to use algebraic topography to study the role of “plasticity” which is the process of strengthening and weakening of neural connections when stimulated – a key component in how our brains learn. They hope to use their findings to learn more about human intelligence and recollection formation.2
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