Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Cyber Beauty of the Nervous System

The nervous system is the physiological basis for our response to various external stimuli, such as dreaming, the urge to eat due to hunger, and the behavior that is generated by hunger are all selective expressions of the nervous system. In essence, it can be understood as a Turing machine, which performs certain function operations based on a certain input and then produces a certain output.

The nervous system can be a complex Turing machine formed by a selective combination of chemical and electrical signals from nerve cells. Its interaction with cells in different organs, tissues and cells is also a kind of operation.

Through the response of the nervous system at different levels, a certain sensation can finally be produced in the high-dimensional brain activity, this process is considered to be the same as the process of Bayesian inference, such as an insect crawling around the skin of the thigh, the clear sensation produced at the level of our brain is inferred through multi-level information, such as the distribution of the annular body of the skin, can form a precise sensation, which is a process of information integration. This is the possibility of multiple pathways, i.e. we can respond differently to the same stimulus.

A neuron is a kind of immobile point. Glial cells, on the other hand, are a kind of target for immobile sites. The latter has the distribution and differentiation of microglia (immune), oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells, satellite cells, and so on. Multi-level neurons, pseudo-single-level neurons, etc. are a kind of differentiation of neurons, and their combination can form a certain high-dimensional structure, like various circuits, and we believe that the complex structure that can be formed by this circuit is a fractal structure

For specific calculations, electrical signals are the basis of computing just like a computer. Its large-scale operation is similar to the operation of Turing machine, but it changes from the operation of the paper tape to the on/off operation of various channel proteins (related to the change of positive and negative potential), which is a relatively absolute 1/0 change. In essence, the changes in the concentration of various sodium and potassium ions can be idealized into various calculations. Different channel proteins have different opening mechanisms to form certain complementarities, such as voltage-gated channels and ligand-gated channels. Aquaporins, etc., can also be such a supplement. The all-or-nothing mechanism of an action potential is an operation.

Changes in local potentials can precipitate conformational changes in adjacent channel proteins. Superpolarization and repolarization are carried out at the same time, but at different sites. The intensity of the stimulus is frequency-dependent, like the photoelectric effect.

Synapse formation is more structured, with electrical synapses preceding chemical synapses and are initial stimuli, while chemical synapses are more precise connections that use neurotransmitters, but they can be converted, and electrical signals can be converted into chemical signals. But neurons are inhibitory and activated, which is the result of selective expression based on channel proteins. Of course, the rapid degradation of the binding of neurotransmitters and receptors is fundamental, as is the state change operation of the Turing machine. Chemical neurotransmitters are a mechanism of synaptic formation, that is, through the change of receptor sensitivity to neurotransmitters, the expression of various gene proteins in nerve cells is induced, which is manifested as morphological changes in various nerve cells, and finally can form a real system at the overall level, which requires the interaction of different signals. This is multi-layered, with both neural and muscular activation and reverse activation (see neuropathic atrophy), as well as central nervous system and peripheral nervous system distribution, which can be divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

The peripheral nervous system is the way through which the central nervous system perceives the outside world and is the basis for generating various realisms. Various receptors are the basis of its action, and various electrical and chemical impulses are its mechanism of action. This level of traversal can form a high-dimensional structure such as a reflex arc, which can form a certain competitive game, and finally achieve a certain equilibrium state, such as muscles cannot be overcontracted.

The autonomic nervous system is like the subconscious mind, which continuously acts on the organs, muscles, and glands of the whole body, thus maximizing its adaptability to the environment. Such as changing the temperature, changing the inner diameter of blood vessels, changing the heart rate and the secretion of various secretions. This is the result of the combined action of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, which inspires our thinking on the construction of network models for different levels of game models. Among them, the sympathetic nervous system is biased towards excitating the body's stress response, and the parasympathetic nervous system is biased towards inhibiting various effects of the sympathetic nervous system. The coupling of the structure produces an antagonistic effect, which corresponds to the complementary structural characteristics.

Sympathetic nervous system: stress, originating from the thoracolumbar segment of the spinal cord, rapidly regulating the function of organs, ganglion formation and on both sides of the spinal cord, preganglionic fibers are shorter than postganglionic fibers, and have a wide range of effects, neurotransmitters

Parasympathetic nervous system: moderate, craniosacral segment, ganglion formation and proximity to effectors, preganglionic fibers are longer than postganglionic fibers, and the range of action is relatively limited

The specific response is the selective expression of this game competition matrix formed by the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The final equilibrium of this multi-level competitive game is the beauty of the nervous system that we can feel, because it can form a very precise sequence of actions, selectively activate/inhibit all levels of the body, and finally form specific effects, such as stimulating the body's muscle movement during stress and quickly escaping from danger. Of course, there is also a certain game at this high-dimensional level, that is, the response of the poison hand activation system in the case of life and death and in general stressful situations, so the essential system of life-saving in an emergency (sympathetic nervous system) will have a negative impact on the body in general (often in a state of stress has a great impact on lifespan), which is inevitable, after all, you can't let the horse run and the horse does not eat grass (you can have a relatively consistent physiological response to all stresses). The final equilibrium we have formed is to choose a middle value between long-term lifespan and near-term danger escape. At the same time, we also need to note that there is also a certain amount of competition at the level of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Then let's move on to low-dimensional game competition. The stress state of the sympathetic nervous system has both advantages and disadvantages for the organism, which is an equilibrium achieved by a multi-level game (inside the sympathetic nervous system), which allows it to function selectively. This effect is the basis for the emergence of the overall effect of the network, such as the continuation of the system of escape (activation of the locomotor system) rather than digestion and so on. This mechanism is actually embodied in multiple levels, that is, the local optimal is a common method for us to make judgments based on limited information, which is of great help to our short-term survival, and may also play a certain positive role in long-term survival (the local optimal has a relatively large probability of being better than the overall optimum), so the creatures of the animal world only think about spending the day every day, which is enough to reproduce. Therefore, the sympathetic nervous system is able to achieve short-term local resource allocation, which is a kind of local optimum. Of course, it can't last long, it's the equilibrium reached by the game.

Structural level: 1 sympathetic nervous system: stress, originating in the thoracolumbar segment of the spinal cord, rapid regulation of the function of organs, ganglion formation and on both sides of the spinal cord, preganglionic fibers (acetylcholine) are shorter than postganglionic fibers (norepinephrine), with a wide range of effects, neurotransmitters

2. Parasympathetic nervous system: moderate, craniosacral segment, ganglion formation and close to effectors, preganglionic fibers (acetylcholine) are longer than postganglionic fibers (acetylcholine), and the range of action is relatively limited

The distribution of neurotransmitters and hormones, as well as the distribution of sites and effects, are also the result of a game competition. Because neurotransmitters can have the same or opposite effects as hormones, this is uncertain and is based on selective changes in the distribution of receptors at specific sites. Moreover, there are also certain effects of competition, game coordination, and so on within hormones, which regulate our various physiological cycles, such as sleep, and so on. The coupling of neurotransmitters and hormones lies in norepinephrine, which is secreted by nerve cells and adrenal glands, which can produce different effects at different sites.

The beauty of the nervous system is largely reflected in the competitive game of the effects of various neurotransmitters and hormones, and the final equilibrium is selectively changed. We need to understand it from a high-dimensional perspective, otherwise there will be many seemingly contradictory phenomena: the same substance can produce different effects or even opposite effects, and different substances can produce the same effect. This is related to the binding of specific substances and specific receptors, i.e. the relationship of this interaction is a high-dimensional relationship that we understand. The clearest example is the distribution of α receptors and β receptors in different parts of the blood vessels, and the selective expression of the effects of their selective activation is the effect observed at our macro level. Vasodilation of skeletal muscles, such as stress. These effects can be derived from the joint action of neurotransmitters and hormones, that is, their specific effects are the equilibrium reached by the competitive game of neurotransmitters and hormones. This is the multi-level game of the organism that enables us to maintain the homeostasis of the organism, after all, multiple mechanisms can be used as insurance, which is also the differentiation and distribution of the network. The equilibrium formed by the competitive game can show the antagonistic and synergistic effects at the macro level. There is some similarity between the effects of neurotransmitters and hormones and those of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

The sympathetic nervous system functions by simultaneously activating and inhibiting the same system, which is a selective expression consistent with the body's use of the mechanisms of the sympathetic nervous system to avoid danger and affect longevity. The specific path that this competitive game can form is the beauty of the nerves that we fall for it. An example is that in a state of stress, systemic blood vessels are selectively contracted (gastrointestinal, multi-α receptors) and expanded (skeletal muscle, multi-β receptors), which in turn correlates with the pattern of receptor distribution at specific sites, α receptor activation (binding to norepinephrine or epinephrine) to constrict blood vessels, and β receptor activation (binding to norepinephrine or epinephrine) dilating blood vessels.

The multi-level competition that exists within our organism enables us to maintain a good living environment in the end, which is through the mechanism of various possible contradictions at the bottom, and finally embodies a relatively stable fixed point/Nash equilibrium at the high-dimensional level. The superposition of this effect can refer to the Fourier series, and its specific expression mode has the meaning of a pattern emergence, that is, the selective expression of each level, which in turn shows good adaptability at the macro level.

Then comes to the object of the more macro competitive game, the parasympathetic nervous system. It is a coupling pair formed with the sympathetic nervous system at this level of the nervous system. If the heart beat is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (accelerating the heart rate) and the parasympathetic nervous system (reducing the heart rate) at the same time, the heart rate that is ultimately maintained is the equilibrium formed by the competitive game, so that it can have the greatest adaptability to the current environment, the calm state is maintained at a relatively low level, and the nervous situation can increase the heart rate to provide nutritional support for intense exercise. We consider this sequence of equilibrium formation to be the optimal fitness function formed within the organism network, which is similar to annealing. Moreover, many functions of our body need to be carried out in a certain state of equilibrium, such as the homeostasis of the internal environment, and there are other levels of equilibrium. This sequence of selective expression allows us to perform advanced functions, such as ****, because we need the calmness of the brain environment and the excitation of special parts of the body, which is the result of the coupled expression of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, which can be regarded as the probabilistic expression of the Markov sequence for various states. It seems to be a contradiction, but it is actually a high-dimensional perspective in reality. At the structural level, the coupling of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system is reflected in the distribution, the types of neurotransmitters, the effects of excitation, etc., which ultimately make it possible to achieve equilibrium at the functional level.

I believe that nerve impulses are universal, and the specific event only activates the nerve to produce a more obvious effect, that is, the electrical effect of excitation beyond the threshold, and the structural maintenance of specific nerve cells may need nerve impulses below the threshold to be ensured. Therefore, the occurrence of specific nerve impulses is an emergence of patterns, like the tip of the iceberg, which can be understood as various configurations that make the machine work properly. An important example is the vagus nerve, which transmits sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the brain and expresses the brain's efferent information in the organs connected to it.

On this basis, we understand that the flow of information in the reflex arc requires the release and breakdown of neurotransmitters, as well as the transmission of electrical signals.

It can also be regarded as the distribution and differentiation of the network, and the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system can be regarded as a pair of orthogonal bases, and their selective expression is like the Fourier transform, which can approximate meaningful expression patterns with a certain precision. It may be of practical value for us to refer to the mathematical ideas of signal processing to understand, we can continue to decompose it into the secretion of neurotransmitters and hormones, the activation of different receptors and their effects (this is also selectively expressed, α receptors activate constrictive blood vessels, β receptors activate diltolic blood vessels, and there are different distribution patterns of α receptors and β receptors in different parts of the specific body, that is, proportions, so the same treatment factors can produce opposite effects in different parts, such as norepinephrine can dilate the blood vessels of skeletal muscle and constrict the blood vessels of the gastrointestinal tract) 。 Therefore, the idea of essentially hierarchical games is actually an equivalent description of linear algebra.

This is also reflected in the muscles of the muscular system and their antagonist muscles, which not only keep the human body in a better state, but also make it possible to make fine movements, see the dexterous movements that our fingers can make. This is the topological nature of the network, and our physiological systems should all have this similarity, so that we think that there are similar relationships in the nuclei and brain divisions of the central nervous system of the brain. This is a hierarchical similarity of fractal structures.