The Computational Boundary of a “Self”: Developmental Bioelectricity Drives Multicellularity and Scale-Free Cognition

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Dec. 13, 2019

All epistemic agents physically consist of parts that must somehow comprise an integrated cognitive self. Biological individuals subunits (organs, cells, and molecular networks) are themselves complex competent in their own native contexts. How do coherent biological Individuals result from the activity smaller sub-agents? To understand evolution function metazoan creatures' bodies minds, it is essential to conceptually explore origin multicellularity scaling basal cognition individual cells into a larger organism. In this article, I synthesize ideas science, evolutionary biology, developmental physiology toward hypothesis about Individuality: "Scale-Free Cognition." propose fundamental definition Individual based on ability pursue goals at appropriate level scale organization suggest formalism for defining comparing capacities highly diverse types agents. Any Self demarcated by computational surface - spatio-temporal boundary events can measure, model, try affect. This sets functional "light cone" which defines limits its cognition. hypothesize higher goal-directed agency, resulting boundaries, evolve primal homeostatic drive living things reduce stress difference between current conditions life-optimal conditions. The mechanisms bioelectricity all form electrical networks process information plausible set gradual steps naturally lead physiological homeostasis single memory, prediction, ultimately agents, via scale-up basic infotaxis. Recent data pre-neural model how increasingly sophisticated functions emerge smoothly cell-cell communication used guide embryogenesis regeneration. hypotheses provides novel perspective numerous phenomena, such as cancer, makes several unique, testable predictions interdisciplinary research have implications not only biology but also biomedicine perhaps artificial intelligence exobiology.

Language: Английский

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An Allostatic Theory of Oxytocin

Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 24(7), P. 515 - 528

Published: April 29, 2020

Several studies on oxytocin could not be replicated, and this has been attributed to methodological limitations. Although is an important issue, the impact of lack overarching theory yet recognized.Oxytocin conventionally considered a social hormone, but more recent work suggests that it also modulates non-social cognition behavior.Oxytocin-like peptides in evolutionarily ancient organisms regulate allostatic processes, such as osmoregulation, are conserved humans.Oxytocin facilitates processing sensory cues crucial for survival.Oxytocin receptor location release patterns govern diverse coordinated actions physiology behavior.Oxytocin signaling changes across development support different environmental pressures at each developmental stage. Oxytocin garnered considerable interest its role behavior, well potential intranasal administration treat difficulties. However, current theoretical models behavior pay little consideration evolutionary history. This article aims broaden our understanding by adopting ethological approach through lens Nikolaas Tinbergen's 'four questions' – how does work; change during development; enhance survival; did system evolve? We argue most accurately described hormone both maintaining stability changing environments. [1.Feldman R. et al.Oxytocin pathway genes: impacting human affiliation, sociality, psychopathology.Biol. Psychiatry. 2016; 79: 174-184Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar] neuromodulator hormone. It primarily produced hypothalamus from which secreted within brain into circulatory [2.Jurek B. Neumann I.D. The receptor: intracellular behavior.Physiol. Rev. 2018; 98: 1805-1908Crossref Scopus (87) Scholar]. captured any neuromodulatory [3.Kenkel W.M. Corpus colossal: bibliometric analysis neuroscience abstracts factor.Front. Integr. Neurosci. 2019; 13: 18Crossref (1) owing [4.Guastella A.J. MacLeod C. A critical review influence nasal spray humans: evidence future directions.Horm. Behav. 2012; 61: 410-418Crossref (231) In light reports intranasally administered improves communication [5.Yatawara C.J. al.The effect interaction deficits observed young children with autism: randomized clinical crossover trial.Mol. 21: 1225-1231Crossref (134) Scholar,6.Parker K.J. al.Intranasal treatment biomarkers response autism.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2017; 114: 8119-8124Crossref (69) Scholar], nominated therapeutic agent help remedy impairments (see Glossary) [7.Guastella Hickie I.B. treatment, circuitry literature placing autism context.Biol. 234-242Abstract key characteristic several psychiatric disorders. results have matched early expectations regarding effects illnesses [8.Alvares G.A. al.Beyond hype hope: considerations research spectrum disorder.Autism Res. 10: 25-41Crossref (23) some report null (e.g., [9.Dadds M.R. al.Nasal childhood controlled trial.J. Autism Dev. Disord. 2014; 44: 521-531Crossref (139) Scholar]). Historically, associated terms 'moral molecule' [10.Zak P.J. Moral Molecule: Source Love Prosperity. Random House, 2012Google 'cuddle chemical' [11.Coghlan 'Cuddle eases symptoms schizophrenia.New 2010; 207: 10Google These now typically disregarded scientific [12.Shamay-Tsoory S.G. Abu-Akel salience hypothesis oxytocin.Biol. 194-202Abstract generally involved prosocial non-prosocial cognitive processes behavior. 'social' description disputed, demonstrates [13.Eckstein M. increases eye-gaze towards novel stimuli.Soc. 14: 594-607Crossref (2) Scholar,14.Harari-Dahan O. Bernstein attenuates avoidance: re-thinking specificity oxytocin.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 81: 105-112Crossref (0) Poor replication rates research, paralleling many other areas behavioral sciences [15.Munafò al.A manifesto reproducible science.Nat. Hum. 1: 0021Crossref (679) largely issues poor mechanisms action. efforts made address these limitations better [16.Lee intravenous routes reaches cerebrospinal fluid rhesus macaques: determination using assay.Mol. 23: 115-122Crossref (21) Scholar, 17.Smith A.S. delivered nasally or intraperitoneally plasma normal knockout mice.Pharmacol. 146: 104324Crossref (9) 18.Martins D. al.Do direct nose-to-brain pathways underlie oxytocin-induced regional cerebral blood flow humans?.bioRxiv. (Published online February 28, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14845-5)Google identifying dose–response [19.Quintana D.S. al.Dose-dependent social-cognitive breath powered device adults disorder: placebo-controlled double-blind trial.Transl. 7e1136Crossref 20.Quintana al.Low dose affects behavior: 4-way trial cavity dimension assessment.Transl. 2015; 5e602Crossref 21.Spengler F.B. al.Kinetics dependency amygdala reactivity.Biol. 82: 885-894Abstract (62) improving study design [22.Walum H. al.Statistical interpretation studies.Biol. 251-257Abstract (157) Scholar,23.Quintana Revisiting non-significant equivalence testing.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 87: 127-130Crossref accounts function range contexts hindered conceptual generalizability [24.Muthukrishna Henrich J. problem theory.Nat. 3: 221-229Crossref (35) As mentioned above, was originally hypothesized original [25.Kosfeld trust humans.Nature. 2005; 435: 673-676Crossref (2144) popularized subject fierce critiques [26.Calin-Jageman R.J. Cumming G. new statistics science: ask much, uncertain, what else known.Am. Stat. 73: 271-280Crossref Scholar]), concept than influences positive, negative, difficult reconcile broader literature, maternal aggression [27.Ferris C.F. aggression.Ann. N. Y. 1992; 652: 456-457Crossref Moreover, instead being based framework applicable general theory), limited set past results. Such can hinder abductive process (i.e., drawing conclusions incomplete possible observations) consequent Thus, accelerate progress there need apply connect findings domains physiological regulation, will allow informed predictions concerning oxytocin. Consequently, integrated may result reliable One example emerging medical use perspective [28.Wells J.C. al.Evolutionary public health: introducing concept.Lancet. 390: 500-509Abstract perspectives uncover why phenotype evolved, they cannot easily answer operates. Answering two interrelated 'how' 'why' questions rich synergistic would answering alone [29.Hofmann H.A. al.An studying behavior.Trends Ecol. Evol. 29: 581-589Abstract (93) classic generate deeper phenotypes [30.Tinbergen On methods ethology.Ethology. 1963; 20: 410-433Google reciprocal are: (i) (ii) How survival? (iii) What cause phenotype? (iv) develop individual? first explanations whereas second proximate explanations. Notably, four consider only expression given moment sequence events give rise phenotype. Tinbergen formulated animals; however, recently applied characteristics, hormonal [31.Calisi R.M. An integrative overview gonadotropin-inhibitory applying questions.Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 203: 95-105Crossref (17) conditions [32.Brüne crisis psychiatry insights prospects theory.World 11: 55-57Crossref behaviors we questions. physiology, best characterized because adaptation, consolidation, Unlike Cannon's homeostasis [33.Cannon W.B. Organization homeostasis.Physiol. 1929; 9: 399-431Crossref refers moment-to-moment post hoc adjustments environment static set-points, allostasis anticipation helps ensure integrating prior knowledge information modulate adjust set-points demands (Box 1) [34.Ramsay Woods S.C. Clarifying roles regulation.Psychol. 121: 225Crossref Our model oxytocin, recognizes psychological actions, contains components: oxytocin-mediated sensing, learning, prediction, (Figure 1). all components, implications disorders.Box 1The Difference between Allostasis HomeostasisAllostasis provide regulation systems, differences Walter proposal First, anticipate make appropriate before occur. Second, adjusted suit system. To illustrate energy metabolism example. classical homeostatic makes return set-point, eating detection so reach predetermined metabolic activity level. By contrast, anticipates associating low opportunities) adjusts via cope predicted change. exclusive operate complementarily [86.Schulkin Sterling P. Allostasis: brain-centered, predictive mode regulation.Trends 42: 740-752Abstract predicting efficient over long term, prediction errors certain occur occasion, especially when rapidly unpredictably. necessary perform corrections errors. sensitivity correction dependent predictions.Of course, descriptions updated since include anticipatory responses adjustable modern interpretations, technically correct term 'homeostasis' describe includes set-points; here 'allostasis' avoid confusion interpretations homeostasis. predictions. Of Identifying highly species clarify purpose. Novel regulatory circuits older [35.Carter C.S. evolution behavior.Annu. Psychol. 65: 17-39Crossref (275) therefore follows unraveling origins circuit present role. decipher instructive characterize history phylogeny). Oxytocin-like least 600 million years old [36.Gwee P.-C. al.Characterization neurohypophysial gene loci elephant shark Japanese lamprey: origin vertebrate genes.BMC Biol. 2009; 47Crossref (55) precursor mammalian arose vertebrates diverged invertebrates [37.Liutkeviciute Z. al.Global map oxytocin/vasopressin-like neuropeptide signalling insects.Sci. Rep. 6: 39177Crossref Vasopressin shares ancestry precursor, reflected structural similarity affinity V1A vasopressin [38.Manning agonists antagonists tools therapeutics.J. Neuroendocrinol. 24: 609-628Crossref (235) environments relatively unsophisticated nervous systems shared common ancestors humans. For instance, straightforward associative learning paradigms demonstrate wild-type roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) learn associate particular aversive properties. lacking homolog (nematocin) fail same degree avoidance after pre-exposure stimulus [39.Beets I. al.Vasopressin/oxytocin-related regulates gustatory elegans.Science. 338: 543-545Crossref (96) points error loop mutant integrate deficit learning. adjusting conditions, seems humans [40.Hurlemann enhances amygdala-dependent, socially reinforced emotional empathy humans.J. 30: 4999-5007Crossref (449) Rapidly integral success organism. demonstrated neurally invertebrate roundworm, above nematocin expressed neurons detect thermal mechanical Scholar,41.Garrison J.L. al.Oxytocin/vasopressin-related reproductive behavior.Science. 540-543Crossref (129) memory [42.Chini al.Learning about oxytocin: pharmacologic issues.Biol. 76: 360-366Abstract (30) Scholar,43.Maroun Wagner stimuli: dance remember, forget.Biol. 203-212Abstract compared mice, (OXTR) mice deficient reversal requires flexibility ability strategies quickly adapt [44.Sala al.Pharmacologic rescue impaired flexibility, deficits, increased aggression, seizure susceptibility mice: neurobehavioral autism.Biol. 2011; 69: 875-882Abstract (225) humans, rapid adaptation fear signals, survival value [45.Eckstein Pavlovian males.Neuropsychopharmacology. 41: 932-939Crossref (31) although less consistent animal Scholar,46.Brambilla al.Effects long-term healthy systematic review.Drug 77: 479-488Crossref corroborated brain, reported regions OXTR networks underlying [47.Quintana brain.Nat. Commun. 668Crossref (19) perhaps pointing improve methods. Behavioral element adaptive conditions. mediation tissue contraction invertebrates, earthworms (Eisenia foetida) leeches (Whitmania pigra), where injection oxytocin-like peptide (anetocin) earthworm gut uterus [48.Fujino al.Possible functions oxytocin/vasopressin-superfamily annelids special reference reproduction osmoregulation.J. Exp. Zool. Part Genet. Physiol. 1999; 284: 401-406Crossref (45) Scholar,49.Oumi T. al.Annetocin, annelid oxytocin-related peptide, induces egg-laying earthworm, Eisenia foetida.J. 1996; 276: 151-156Crossref similar sea squirts, shown osmoregulation syphon [50.Ukena K. al.Unique form osmoregulatory urochordate.Endocrinology. 2008; 149: 5254-5261Crossref acts receptors cardiovascular kidneys [51.McCann S.M. al.Oxytocin, atrial natriuretic control body action their kidney.Prog. Brain 2002; 139: 309-328Crossref smooth muscle contractions play parturition, copulation, reproduction, gastric emptying, Therefore, assisted basic contraction, appear coopted contractile broad mammals allostasis. Crucially, seem depending situational digestion, birth, lactation) [52.Russell J.A. magnocellular system, fount maternity: adaptations pregnancy.Front. 2003; 27-61Crossref (184) 53.Uvnäs-Moberg behavioural, lactation.Appl. Anim. 2001; 72: 225-234Crossref 54.Welch M.G. gastrointestinal motility, inflammation, macromolecular permeability, mucosal maintenance mice.Am. Gastrointest. Liver 307: G848-G862Crossref 55.Wu C.-L. al.Pharmacological emptying intestinal transit non-nutritive liquid meal female rats.Naunyn Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 367: 406-413Crossref attribute Long-range axonal projections consistently found complex [56.Eliava population parvocellular controlling neuron inflammatory pain processing.Neuron. 89: 1291-1304Abstract P

Language: Английский

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The Locus Coeruleus- Norepinephrine System in Stress and Arousal: Unraveling Historical, Current, and Future Perspectives

Frontiers in Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 27, 2021

Arousal may be understood on a spectrum, with excessive sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction, and inattention one side, wakeful state in the middle, hypervigilance, panic, psychosis other side. However, historically, concepts of arousal stress have been challenging to define as measurable experimental variables. Divergent efforts study these subjects given rise several disciplines, including neurobiology, neuroendocrinology, neuroscience. We discuss technological advancements that chronologically led our current understanding system, focusing multifaceted nucleus locus coeruleus. share contemporary perspective hypotheses others context capabilities future developments will required move forward this area research.

Language: Английский

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Technological Approach to Mind Everywhere: An Experimentally-Grounded Framework for Understanding Diverse Bodies and Minds

Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 16

Published: March 24, 2022

Synthetic biology and bioengineering provide the opportunity to create novel embodied cognitive systems (otherwise known as minds) in a very wide variety of chimeric architectures combining evolved designed material software. These advances are disrupting familiar concepts philosophy mind, require new ways thinking about comparing truly diverse intelligences, whose composition origin not like any available natural model species. In this Perspective, I introduce TAME-Technological Approach Mind Everywhere-a framework for understanding manipulating cognition unconventional substrates. TAME formalizes non-binary (continuous), empirically-based approach strongly agency. provides way think animal sentience an instance collective intelligence cell groups, arising from dynamics that manifest similar numerous other When applied regenerating/developmental systems, suggests perspective on morphogenesis example basal cognition. The deep symmetry between problem-solving anatomical, physiological, transcriptional, 3D (traditional behavioral) spaces drives specific hypotheses by which capacities can increase during evolution. An important medium exploited evolution joining active subunits into greater agents is developmental bioelectricity, implemented pre-neural use ion channels gap junctions scale up cell-level feedback loops anatomical homeostasis. This architecture multi-scale competency biological has implications plasticity bodies minds, greatly potentiating evolvability. Considering classical recent data perspectives computational science, evolutionary biology, cognition, reveals rich research program with many regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence.

Language: Английский

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Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal

Cell Reports Medicine, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(1), P. 100895 - 100895

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Controlled breathwork practices have emerged as potential tools for stress management and well-being. Here, we report a remote, randomized, controlled study (NCT05304000) of three different daily 5-min exercises compared with an equivalent period mindfulness meditation over 1 month. The breathing conditions are (1) cyclic sighing, which emphasizes prolonged exhalations; (2) box breathing, is equal duration inhalations, breath retentions, (3) hyperventilation retention, longer inhalations shorter exhalations. primary endpoints improvement in mood anxiety well reduced physiological arousal (respiratory rate, heart rate variability). Using mixed-effects model, show that breathwork, especially the exhale-focused produces greater (p < 0.05) reduction respiratory meditation. Daily sighing has promise effective exercise.

Language: Английский

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A new science of emotion: implications for functional neurological disorder

Brain, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 145(8), P. 2648 - 2663

Published: June 2, 2022

Abstract Functional neurological disorder reflects impairments in brain networks leading to distressing motor, sensory and/or cognitive symptoms that demonstrate positive clinical signs on examination incongruent with other conditions. A central issue historical and contemporary formulations of functional has been the mechanistic aetiological role emotions. However, debate mostly omitted fundamental questions about nature emotions first place. In this perspective article, we outline a set relevant working principles (e.g. allostasis, predictive processing, interoception affect), followed by focused review theory constructed emotion introduce new understanding what are. Building theoretical framework, formulate how altered category construction can be an integral component pathophysiology related somatic symptoms. doing so, address several themes for field including: (i) energy regulation process relate symptom generation, including revisiting alexithymia, ‘panic attack without panic’, dissociation, insecure attachment influential life experiences; (ii) re-interpret select neurobiological research findings cohorts through lens illustrate its potential relevance; (iii) discuss therapeutic implications. While continue support is mechanistically aetiologically heterogenous, consideration relates generation maintenance offers integrated viewpoint cuts across neurology, psychiatry, psychology cognitive-affective neuroscience.

Language: Английский

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Competency in Navigating Arbitrary Spaces as an Invariant for Analyzing Cognition in Diverse Embodiments

Entropy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 24(6), P. 819 - 819

Published: June 12, 2022

One of the most salient features life is its capacity to handle novelty and namely thrive adapt new circumstances changes in both environment internal components. An understanding this central several fields: evolution form function, design effective strategies for biomedicine, creation novel forms via chimeric bioengineering technologies. Here, we review instructive examples living organisms solving diverse problems propose competent navigation arbitrary spaces as an invariant thinking about scaling cognition during evolution. We argue that our innate recognize agency intelligence unfamiliar guises lags far behind ability detect it familiar behavioral contexts. The multi-scale competency essential adaptive potentiating providing top-down control (not micromanagement) address complex disease injury. observer-focused viewpoint agnostic scale implementation, illustrating how pivoted similar explore exploit metabolic, transcriptional, morphological, finally 3D motion spaces. By generalizing concept behavior, gain perspectives on evolution, system-level biomedical interventions, construction bioengineered intelligences. This framework a first step toward relating highly embodiments, which will be progress artificial regenerative medicine thriving world increasingly populated by synthetic, bio-robotic, hybrid beings.

Language: Английский

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Simulating homeostatic, allostatic and goal-directed forms of interoceptive control using active inference

Biological Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 169, P. 108266 - 108266

Published: Jan. 17, 2022

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary psychiatry: foundations, progress and challenges

World Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 22(2), P. 177 - 202

Published: May 9, 2023

Evolutionary biology provides a crucial foundation for medicine and behavioral science that has been missing from psychiatry. Its absence helps to explain slow progress; its advent promises major advances. Instead of offering new kind treatment, evolutionary psychiatry scientific useful all kinds treatment. It expands the search causes mechanistic explanations disease in some individuals traits make members species vulnerable disease. For instance, capacities symptoms such as pain, cough, anxiety low mood are universal because they certain situations. Failing recognize utility is at root many problems Determining if an emotion normal it requires understanding individual's life situation. Conducting review social systems, parallel systems rest medicine, can help achieve understanding. Coping with substance abuse advanced by acknowledging how substances available modern environments hijack chemically mediated learning mechanisms. Understanding why eating spirals out control aided recognizing motivations caloric restriction arouses famine protection mechanisms induce binge eating. Finally, explaining persistence alleles cause serious mental disorders intrinsically failure. The thrill finding functions apparent diseases psychiatry's greatest strength weakness. Recognizing bad feelings evolved adaptations corrects pervasive mistake viewing were manifestations. However, panic disorder, melancholia schizophrenia equally Progress will come framing testing specific hypotheses about natural selection left us disorders. efforts people over years be needed before we know provide paradigm treating

Language: Английский

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The brain’s cingulo-opercular action-mode network

Published: Jan. 27, 2024

The brain is always intrinsically active, utilizing energy at high rates, while moving between global functional modes. Awake modes are tied to corresponding behavioral states. During goal-directed behavior, the enters an action-mode of function. In action-mode, arousal heightened, attention focused externally, and action plans created, converted movements, continuously updated based on relevant feedback, such as pain. Here, we synthesize classical recent human animal evidence that brain’s created maintained by network (AMN), which had previously identified named cingulo-opercular (CON) its anatomy. Controlling accounts for large variety functions associated with AMN, increasing arousal, processing instructional cues, task general initiation transients, sustained goal maintenance, planning, sympathetic drive (e.g., connectivity adrenal medulla) controlling physiology internal organs, well action-relevant bottom-up signals pain, errors viscerosensation. mode space, AMN-generated antipole default-mode self-referential, emotional, memory processing.

Language: Английский

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