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Yes, it is of course the connectivity, but I am thinking more of the data structure, which is commonly a specific set of inputs at certain frequencies that excite the neuron and cause it to fire a single shot down and out through the possibly few thousand connections to other neighbouring neurons (well I say, neighbouring, but some axonic connections can travel 4 cms in between different layers (for instance) of the cortex, and all these interconnections form a 'structure' that has, overall, multiple terminations.

It is this basic data structure, chattering away, in a simple stimulus/response manner that can then be modified by the release of biochemicals. The biochemicals not only affect the functioning of the neuron firing structure temporarily, but can also alter it permanently.

But the trigger for the biochemical modification often comes from the data structure itself (sees naked person, gets erection). There is thus a feedback relationship between the two systems. So I have to disagree.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Tue Nov 27th, 2007 at 09:45:47 AM EST
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