4 ms·

One more leap like this and we'll be able to resolve individual dendrites and obtain a complete connectome. Combined with microscopic slices (with suitable immu

by Udo 3y ago

One more leap like this and we'll be able to resolve individual dendrites and obtain a complete connectome. Combined with microscopic slices (with suitable immunohistological staining), we'd be getting close to obtaining the data necessary for brain uploading - at least in mice.

kevviiinn 3y ago
What do you mean by brain uploading
- 22c 3y ago
  The keyword is connectome[1]. The theory is that if you can reproduce a connectome 1:1 then you can basically make an exact replica of a mind. Think of it like how you might be able to reverse engineer and recreate a microchip from high enough resolution imagery of an existing microchip. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectome
  - kevviiinn 3y ago
    Yes, I'm aware of what the connectome is. Someone in my lab is working on a piece of it. My question was regarding the term upload, most people don't mean a replica when they use that term One thing that the MRI studies don't address are the types of synaptic connections. Neurons aren't all just excitatory of inhibitory. There's a massive amount of modulation happen with numerous types of neurotransmitters and other signaling molecules.
    - biofox 3y ago
      There is also a significant amount of non-synaptic interaction through neuropeptides, extracellular vesicles, diffusible molecules and active pumping of the CFS, glial networks, electric field effects, plus all of the unknowns. We've had the complete C. elegans connectome for 30+ years, and know very little about how it actually generates behaviour... because synapses are only a small part of the picture.
      - kevviiinn 3y ago
        I'm not sure why you got downvoted, you're absolutely correct. There are so many pieces to how biological neurons work, we barely understand it. Even electrophysiological studies are missing out on a ton of info
      - robwwilliams 3y ago
        Yep, this is a perfectly correct comment. And lots if subsynaptic magic. The connectome us important but it is turtles at least five levels down.

by Udo 3y ago

kevviiinn 3y ago

What do you mean by brain uploading

22c 3y ago
The keyword is connectome[1]. The theory is that if you can reproduce a connectome 1:1 then you can basically make an exact replica of a mind. Think of it like how you might be able to reverse engineer and recreate a microchip from high enough resolution imagery of an existing microchip. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectome
- kevviiinn 3y ago
  Yes, I'm aware of what the connectome is. Someone in my lab is working on a piece of it. My question was regarding the term upload, most people don't mean a replica when they use that term One thing that the MRI studies don't address are the types of synaptic connections. Neurons aren't all just excitatory of inhibitory. There's a massive amount of modulation happen with numerous types of neurotransmitters and other signaling molecules.
  - biofox 3y ago
    There is also a significant amount of non-synaptic interaction through neuropeptides, extracellular vesicles, diffusible molecules and active pumping of the CFS, glial networks, electric field effects, plus all of the unknowns. We've had the complete C. elegans connectome for 30+ years, and know very little about how it actually generates behaviour... because synapses are only a small part of the picture.
    - kevviiinn 3y ago
      I'm not sure why you got downvoted, you're absolutely correct. There are so many pieces to how biological neurons work, we barely understand it. Even electrophysiological studies are missing out on a ton of info
    - robwwilliams 3y ago
      Yep, this is a perfectly correct comment. And lots if subsynaptic magic. The connectome us important but it is turtles at least five levels down.