Modeling the Nervous System as An Open Quantum System

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum-inspired neural network model that simulates neuron interactions through the environment of neuronal cell bodies, offering a physical perspective on neural dynamics and information transmission.

Contribution

It presents a novel open quantum system approach to modeling neural interactions, incorporating physical components like dendrites, axons, and glial cells as oscillating modes.

Findings

Model generates random neuron-neuron interactions.

Simulates action potential behavior after stimulation.

Provides a physical framework for neural information transmission.

Abstract

We propose a neural network model of multi-neuron interacting system that simulates neurons to interact each other through the surroundings of neuronal cell bodies. We physically model the neuronal cell surroundings, include the dendrites, the axons and the synapses as well as the surrounding glial cells, as a collection of all kinds of oscillating modes arisen from the electric circuital environment of neuronal action potentials. By analyzing the dynamics of this neural model through the master equation approach of open quantum systems, we investigate the collective behavior of neurons. After applying stimulations to the neural network, the neuronal collective state is activated and shows the action potential behavior. We find that this model can generate random neuron-neuron interactions and is proper to describe the process of information transmission in the nervous system physically, which may pave a potential route toward understanding the dynamics of nervous system.