The nature of neuronal words and language

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

2011

The human brain is a complex organ made up of neurons and several other cell types, and whose role is processing information for use in eliciting behaviors. However, the composition of its repeating cellular units for both structure and function are unresolved. Based on recent descriptions of the brain's physiological “operating system”, a function of the tri-cellular metabolism of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) for supply of energy, and on the nature of “neuronal words and languages” for intercellular communication, insights into the brain's modular structural and functional units have been gained. In this article, it is proposed that the basic structural unit in brain is defined by its physiological operating system, and that it consists of a single neuron, and one or more astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and vascular system endothelial cells. It is also proposed that the basic functional unit in the brain is defined by how neurons communicate, and consists of two neurons and their interconnecting dendritic–synaptic–dendritic field. Since a functional unit is composed of two neurons, it requires two structural units to form a functional unit. Thus, the brain can be envisioned as being made up of the three-dimensional stacking and intertwining of myriad structural units which results not only in its gross structure, but also in producing a uniform distribution of binary functional units. Since the physiological NAA–NAAG operating system for supply of energy is repeated in every structural unit, it is positioned to control global brain function.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Vertebrate Brain, Evidence of Its Modular Organization and Operating System: Insights into the Brain's Basic Units of Structure, Function, and Operation and How They Influence Neuronal Signaling and Behavior

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

2011

“…In order to better understand the possible role of NAAG and its mGluR3-astrocyte-vascular system trigger mechanism in brain function, it is informative to review how neurons interact. Neurons communicate with one another using frequency-encoded signaling in the range of about 0.1-1000 Hz [13,14] . These communications are meaningful and have in many cases been able to be translated into specific neuronal spike/pause words and phrases [15] .…”

Section: How Neurons Communicate With One Another and Why Energy Suppmentioning

confidence: 99%

An answer to "The Nagging Question of the Function of N-Acetylaspartylglutamate"

2016

Neurosci Commun

In 1997, a paper was published entitled "The Nagging Question of the Function of N-Acetylaspartylglutamate". N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is an unusual acetylated dipeptide that is synthesized by neurons, but whose complete metabolism requires four different enzymes and a specific receptor distributed among three different cell types in the brain. In 2007, it was hypothesized that the primary function of NAAG was that of a homeostatic neuronal-astrocyte-vascular system control mechanism. The purpose of this mechanism being to initiate focal hyperemic responses increasing the availability of oxygen and glucose to stimulated neurons in order to replenish their energy stores and thus maintain their ability to transmit a full range of meaningful frequency-encoded messages. In this communication, evidence is presented supporting the NAAG feedback control hypothesis. This evidence shows that NAAG is not required by individual neurons for survival, for myelination, or for their basic "spiking" activity by which signals are transmitted at synapses. However, in the absence of NAAG, or if its complex intercellular metabolism is compromised, higher brain cognitive functions and coordinated motor activities that are dependent on the integrity of frequency-encoded signals are negatively affected.

Biosemiosis and the Cellular Basis of Mind

2010

Biosemiotics

The human brain is a complex organ made up of neurons and several other cell types, and whose role is processing information for use in elicitation of behaviors. To accomplish this, the brain requires large amounts of energy, and this energy is obtained by the oxidation of glucose (Glc). However, the question of how the oxidation of Glc by individual neurons in brain results in their collective ability to rapidly generate feats of cognition that allow them to recognize the nature of the universe in which they live and to communicate this information remains unclear. In this article, insights into this process are provided by first considering the brain' s homeostatic "operating system" for supply of energy to stimulated neurons, and how this system defines the basic unit of brain "structure". This is followed by consideration of the brain's "two-cell" neuronal communication mechanism which defines the basic unit of brain "function". Finally, an analysis of the nature of frequency-encoded "neuronal languages" that enable ensembles of neurons to translate energy derived from the oxidation of Glc into a collective "mind", the aggregate of all brain processes including those involving perception, thought, insight, foresight, imagination and behavior.