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From: marcoj@ai.rl.af.mil (James D. Marco)
Subject: Re: Men : Analogical or Digital ?
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References: <3rjvt4$cub@gnu.mat.uc.pt> <3s9hpu$eh0_001@csihq.com> <marcoj-2206950602160001@fester.se.rl.af.mil> <DAMorG.CqJ.0.-s@cs.vu.nl> <3sep3a$dc@life.ai.mit.edu> <marcoj-2606950952150001@fester.se.rl.af.mil> <DAsLsw.488.0.-s@cs.vu.nl>
Date: Tue, 27 Jun 1995 12:25:48 GMT
Lines: 53

In article <DAsLsw.488.0.-s@cs.vu.nl>, embronne@cs.vu.nl (Bronneberg EM) wrote:
In article <DAsLsw.488.0.-s@cs.vu.nl>, embronne@cs.vu.nl (Bronneberg EM) wrote:
> : > >.... Current theories ....
> (SnipSnip) 
> What I meant is that under certain circumstances a neuron will release an
> amount of NO. This will spread and all surrounding neurons notice this and
> will respond to this. The quantity of NO they receive depends on how close
> they are to the neuron that releases it. I don't think they repond in the
> same manner as they would to a neuro-transmitter (by firing themselves). But
> I don't remember the details.
> 
> Miel Bronneberg,
> embronne@cs.vu.nl

I see.  So, NO would fall into a class of "exciter" or, equivalently, is
the agent of chemical predisposition?

(Smell any smoke??...Im thinking.)
Hypothetical Scenario:
   In a group of 2 neurons, N1 & N2: 
       2 chemical agents exist, A & B.
       10 molecules of chemical A are required to cause N2 to fire.
       N2 may absorb 2 molecules of B, substituting for 5 molecules of A  
           External (START EVENT) and (N1 TRIGGER) events effect N1         
Algorithm:
       (Rest State)
           (START EVENT)
       N1 saturates its environment with B in response to START EVENT
       N2 absorbs 2 molecules of B
       (N1 TRIGGER)
           N1 responds to TRIGGER by firing, saturating the synaptic junction
       with A, a neurotransmitter.
       N2 absorbs 5 molecules of A and achieves its threshold
       (N2 FIRE EVENT)
           The (N2 FIRE EVENT) breaks down A and B.
           N1 pumps Na ions out of neuron, recharging
           N2 pumps Na ions out of neuron, recharging
   (Rest State)   
I believe that this sequence is, overall, a digital event sequence not an
analog one. The molecular actions of chemical agents on neurons are pretty
clearly discrete events, hence can be considered digital. The act of
pumping Na ions implies that some discrete quantity of ions must be
removed from the neuron (or placed outside the neuron cell membrane) to
achieve an activated state.
i.e.:  
   for some integer number, n, of Na ions:
   n   ions are not sufficient to charge the neuron.
       n+1 ions is sufficient, and the neuron is charged 
   then the state change between discharged and charged 
        is clearly binary.
   
Comments??
                  ?;-)    marcoj@ai.rl.af.mil
