Universal principles justify the existence of concept cells

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical framework demonstrating that individual concept cells can plausibly support complex cognitive functions, challenging the notion that many neurons are necessary for such tasks.

Contribution

It introduces a set of physical principles showing that single neurons, or concept cells, are not only possible but highly likely in high-dimensional neural spaces.

Findings

Concept cells can support complex tasks individually.

High-dimensional neural space favors the existence of concept cells.

Theoretical foundations challenge the need for many neurons in complex cognition.

Abstract

It is largely believed that complex cognitive phenomena require the perfect orchestrated collaboration of many neurons. However, this is not what converging experimental evidence suggests. Single neurons, the so-called concept cells, may be responsible for complex tasks performed by an individual. Here, starting from a few first principles, we layout physical foundations showing that concept cells are not only possible but highly likely, given that neurons work in a high dimensional space.