A continuum approach to modelling cognitive disorders.

Abstract

At the present time, the dominant conceptual framework in neuroscience views neurons as discrete information processing units. While this framework has undoubtedly been successful in explaining phenomena at the single-cell level, it has had less success in explaining large-scale neural phenomena such as cognitive disorders. An alternative conceptualization of brain function is in terms of an energy continuum, where energy is an abstract variable modelling the flow of electrochemical activity between neurons. Using this energy (E) model, large-scale phenomena may be incorporated within a single conceptual framework. This framework can in turn be related to the underlying biochemistry. The E model also generates testable predictions, and should prove quantifiable using differential equations. These claims are illustrated with simple examples from the spectrum of cognitive disorders.