1st In Vivo Evidence for Quantum Neurons

[selfAdjoint]

This paper on the new quantitative biology section of the preprint arxiv (http://arxiv.org/abs/q-bio.NC/0311026) claims evidence in brains of living rats of chaotic behavior matching that of a well known theoretical model of chaotic quantum mechanics. If verified, a true breakthrough.

[Mentat]

Originally posted by selfAdjoint
This paper on the new quantitative biology section of the preprint arxiv (http://arxiv.org/abs/q-bio.NC/0311026) claims evidence in brains of living rats of chaotic behavior matching that of a well known theoretical model of chaotic quantum mechanics. If verified, a true breakthrough.

Interesting though it may be, why a breakthrough? I had always though that anything composed of quantum particles would behave according to quantum chaos...

[selfAdjoint]

No, the neurons have not previously been thought to exhibit quantum behaviors; they are cells, big as cels go, and have complex chemical behavior. They also operate at body temperature. These two things, size and elevated temperature, are though to prevent pure quantum states from lasting long enough to provide visible effects. So this discovery, even though it is from the new chaotic end of quantum theory, comes as a surprize.

I am sure it will be seized on by "quantum mind" theorists.