Bernstein member involved: Moritz Helias

The brain is thought to be active at a critical point between two dynamic phases in order to process information efficiently. At this point, networks of neurons are stable enough to reliably store information, but also sensitive enough to quickly send signals to distant parts of the brain. Prof. Moritz Helias from the Forschungszentrum Jülich and his colleagues have now used quantum field theory methods to confirm the existence of these critical points in the Wilson-Cowan model. In this classical model from brain dynamics, a group of neurons is excited by external stimuli or by interactions with their neighbors.

Using a technique called renormalization, the researchers found that both nearby and distant neurons can communicate effectively with each other. At the same time, the ability to store memories is retained. The study was made possible by using methods known as field theory, with the participation of experts from the CASA Simulation and Data Laboratory’s “Numerical Quantum Field Theory” – that is, a methodology usually applied to quantum mechanical systems. This study illustrates the successful collaboration between very different topics within the program “Natural, Artificial and Cognitive Information Processing” of the current period of program-oriented funding (PoF) of the Helmholtz Association.

Although there is clear evidence of critical dynamics in the brain, it was previously unclear why our brains function in this way. The researchers will therefore expand on their new findings in the future.