Stochastic resonance and sensory perception

In the TGD framework, subjective existence corresponds universally to the sleep-wakeup cycle defined by the periods of wake-up with opposite arrows of time defined by a sequence of “big” state function reductions (BSFRs) changing the arrow of time. In BSFR, a self with a given arrow of time dies (or falls asleep) and reincarnates as a self with an opposite arrow of time.

The TGD view, the stochastic resonance would synchronize the signals realized as amplitude modulated carrier waves with the sleep-wakeup cycle. The wakeup period would correspond to T(spont)= 1/f(spont). Stochastic resonance would correlate the rhythms of subjective and physical existence.

The basic prediction is that this synchrony is optimal when the noise level is optimum. Taking the ordinary sleep-wake-up cycle as an example, one can understand what this means. If the stimulus level is too high, concentration to a given task is difficult and problems with sleep appear. If the stimulus level is too low, drowsiness becomes the problem and the resonance with the circadian rhythm tends to be lost.

Concerning the identification of the counterpart of the white noise, there are several guidelines.

1. White noise could correspond to any signal for which the frequency distribution is constant in the time scale of modulations. The rate of BSFRs should be f(spont)= 2f. In stochastic resonance, the white noise would keep the system in optimal wakeup state.
2. Many neuroscientists believe that the rate of nerve pulses codes for the sensory input. This need not be quite true but inspires the question whether the nerve pulses define the white noise and whether a single nerve pulse wakes up the neuron. If so, then the rate of nerve pulses could correspond to f=f(spont)/2 since only the nerve pulses with a standard arrow of time are observed.

Nerve pulse duration is about 1 ms and defines the maximum rate of nerve pulses. On the other hand, f= 1 kHz frequency is a resonance frequency of the brain synchrony and also the average mechanical resonance frequency of the skull.

The TGD inspired quantum biology indeed predicts that QCD allows dark variants with same masses but Compton length scaled up by hbar_eff/hbar. Does this mean that the kHz frequency scale of nerve pulses corresponds to T₂ for quarks and 10 Hz EEG frequency scale corresponds to T₂ for electrons? If this is the case, secondary p-adic length scales for electrons and quarks are fundamental for the brain. This raises some questions.

1. It would seem that cyclotron pulses inducing BSFRs correspond to the white noise behind stochastic resonance. The rate of the detected nerve pulses would correspond to f=f(spont)/2 and to a frequency of modulated carrier wave. Can one imagine a general mechanism for producing the noise realized as nerve pulses?
2. One can also ask whether a system could keep itself awake and in stochastic resonance in presence of the necessary metabolic energy feed. Could the system itself produce the white noise as pulse patterns and stay in a stochastic resonance with it. If so, the amount of metabolic energy could control the level of noise in turn controlling the presence of the stochastic resonance.
3. A nontrivial question is what one means with a system. In TGD, the system involves both the biological body and the magnetic body (MB) carrying dark matter associated with it. MB has a hierarchical structure with levels labelled by the values of h_eff.

The model for the communication of sensory input from the cell membrane to the magnetic body and for the control of the biological body suggests itself as a mechanism transforming sensory input at the cell membrane to pulse patterns.

1. At the level of the cell membrane, sensory input corresponds to the oscillations of the membrane potential and to nerve pulses.
2. This sensory input is communicated to the MB as a generalized Josephson radiation modulated by the variation membrane potential representing sensory input. The generalized Josephson frequency is the sum of two parts. The first part corresponds to the ordinary Josephson frequency f_J= ZeV/h_eff. The second, usually dominating, part corresponds to the difference of the cyclotron frequencies of monopole flux tubes at the two sides of the cell membrane and transverse to it. The energies involved are of the order of ZeV and just above the thermal energy as required by the minimal consumption of metabolic energy. Josephson frequencies are in the EEG range.
3. At the MB, the dark Josephson radiation generates cyclotron resonance, which transforms the frequency modulated Josephson radiation to a sequence of pulses, which define a feedback to the brain. A natural proposal is that the cyclotron pulse sequences generate nerve pulse patterns serving as the white noise.

The rate of nerve pulses would dictate the resonant frequency f which can vary from its maximum value of kHz down to 1 Hz and even below it. The cyclotron frequencies for the body parts of the MB would thus select, which frequencies from the frequency spectrum of the Josephson radiation are amplified. Essentially, a Fourier analysis of the sensory input is performed and the spectrum would be represented at the MB.

When the membrane potential is reduced below the critical value, a nerve pulse would be generated and lead to a processing of the signal at the higher levels of the hierarchy. The rate of the nerve pulses would determine the intensity of the signal at the higher levels of the hierarchy. Similar feedback loops with the local magnetic bodies would take place at the higher levels of the hierarchy and generate higher level representations of the sensory input. The virtual sensory input from MB would lead to the generation of standardized mental images as a pattern completion and recognition.

The temporal aspects of hearing responsible for the meaning of the speech would naturally correspond to the modulations of the membrane potential and of Josephson frequencies. But also other senses involve this aspect. Could these aspects correspond to internal speech providing a cognitive interpretation of the experience, its naming? Could this aspect be universal and accompany all experiences? This would also conform with the fact that the oscillations of magnetic flux tubes are analogous to acoustic waves.

For a summary of earlier postings see Latest progress in TGD.

For the lists of articles (most of them published in journals founded by Huping Hu) and books about TGD see this.