Other Bits of the Brain and Body to Model
- The mind is more than just neurons and synapses. So,
even if we could model those perfectly, it would be incomplete.
- Firstly, the body is more than just the brain, but the brain is more
than just neurons and synapses
- A major component of the brain is glial cells. These help support
(something like clean) the neurons. They have an effect on neurons
but the effect is relatively slow. Some have considered glial effects
on learning.
- Neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft, but there are also
transmitters that effect larger areas.
- Blood flow is relevant. Without it, you have a stroke. That's
what is measured with fMRI.
- The body has a hormonal system, and this does have an effect on the
brain. For instance, adrenaline changes behaviour quite rapidly.
- The nervous system is more than just the brain. There is the spine and
the Peripheral Nervous System.
- Finally, the brain sits in a body. That body has sensors and effectors,
and these are the inputs and typically the outputs of the brain.
- All models are wrong, but some are useful.
