Wave-like patterns in parameter space interpreted as evidence for macroscopic effects resulting from quantum or quantum-like processes in the brain

2022 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

← Research stream

UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 658

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typeother

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Wave-like patterns in parameter space interpreted as evidence for macroscopic effects resulting from quantum or quantum-like processes in the brain Kurtev S. Wave-like patterns in parameter space interpreted as evidence for macroscopic effects resulting from quantum or quantum-like processes in the brain. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):18938. Published 2022 Nov 7. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22661-8 Abstract Data from eight numerosity estimation experiments reliably exhibit wave-like patterns in plots of the standard deviations of the response times along the abstract parameter of the magnitude of the error in the numerosity estimation. An explanation for this phenomenon is proposed in terms of an analogy between response times and error magnitude on one hand, and energy and position of quantum particles on the other, constructed using an argument for an overlap between the mathematical apparatus describing Hopfield-type neural networks and quantum systems, established by some researchers. Alternative explanations are presented within the traditional explanatory framework of oscillations due to neural firing, involving hypothetical mechanisms for converting oscillation patterns in time to oscillation patterns in the space of an abstract parameter, such as the magnitude of the error during numerosity estimation. The viability of the proposal of causal influences propagating from the microscale of quantum phenomena to the macroscale of human behavior, needed for the first type of explanation, is exemplified by the phenomenon of magnetoreception in some species of birds, which is allegedly quantum in nature. Open access paper: nature.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Data from eight numerosity estimation experiments are reported to reliably exhibit wave-like patterns when plotting standard deviations of response times against magnitude of numerosity estimation error. The paper proposes an explanation via an analogy to quantum systems (and overlap between Hopfield-type neural networks and quantum systems) and also presents alternative explanations within traditional neural oscillation frameworks.

Outcomes measured

response time standard deviation patterns vs. numerosity estimation error magnitude
wave-like patterns in parameter space

Limitations

No EMF exposure or dosimetry described in the abstract
Population characteristics and sample sizes not reported in the abstract
Primarily interpretive/theoretical explanation; causal claims about quantum-to-macroscale influences are not established in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "response time standard deviation patterns vs. numerosity estimation error magnitude",
    "wave-like patterns in parameter space"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Data from eight numerosity estimation experiments are reported to reliably exhibit wave-like patterns when plotting standard deviations of response times against magnitude of numerosity estimation error. The paper proposes an explanation via an analogy to quantum systems (and overlap between Hopfield-type neural networks and quantum systems) and also presents alternative explanations within traditional neural oscillation frameworks.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No EMF exposure or dosimetry described in the abstract",
    "Population characteristics and sample sizes not reported in the abstract",
    "Primarily interpretive/theoretical explanation; causal claims about quantum-to-macroscale influences are not established in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "numerosity estimation",
    "response times",
    "wave-like patterns",
    "Hopfield neural networks",
    "quantum-like processes",
    "neural oscillations",
    "magnetoreception"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22661-8
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library