Quantum-like model of processing of information in the brain based on classical electromagnetic field

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum-like model of brain information processing based on classical electromagnetic signals, aligning with neuronal paradigms and representing quantum mechanics through classical signal theory.

Contribution

The model uniquely combines classical electromagnetic signals with quantum information theory to explain mental processing without relying on quantum physical phenomena.

Findings

QL processing uses classical electromagnetic signals induced by neurons.

Brain employs a quantum-like representation for abstract concepts.

Information actively transfers between classical and QL representations.

Abstract

We propose a model of quantum-like (QL) processing of mental information. This model is based on quantum information theory. However, in contrast to models of "quantum physical brain" reducing mental activity (at least at the highest level) to quantum physical phenomena in the brain, our model matches well with the basic neuronal paradigm of the cognitive science. QL information processing is based (surprisingly) on classical electromagnetic signals induced by joint activity of neurons. This novel approach to quantum information is based on representation of quantum mechanics as a version of classical signal theory which was recently elaborated by the author. The brain uses the QL representation (QLR) for working with abstract concepts; concrete images are described by classical information theory. Two processes, classical and QL, are performed parallely. Moreover, information is actively transmitted from one representation to another. A QL concept given in our model by a density operator can generate a variety of concrete images given by temporal realizations of the corresponding (Gaussian) random signal. This signal has the covariance operator coinciding with the density operator encoding the abstract concept under consideration. The presence of various temporal scales in the brain plays the crucial role in creation of QLR in the brain.