Due to its apparent biological implausibility, the idea that quantum effects might be functionally relevant in neuroscience has been widely dismissed. Nevertheless, in recent years evidence that is consistent with this quantum brain hypothesis has been accumulating from diverse subfields of neuroscience. These range from theoretical and experimental results pertaining to anesthetic mechanisms, and non-standard MRI measurements reflecting consciousness at the whole-organism level, down to results demonstrating remarkable physical properties of microtubules at the subcellular level.
In parallel with these developments on the biophysical side of the field, a burgeoning quantum cognition literature has developed describing how aspects of quantum theory appear well-suited for a rigorous quantitative statistical description of a wide range of behaviors in psychology. The behavioral results are striking and robust enough that researchers have begun to consider potential neural implementations for generating quantum-like cognition.
This Topic aims to collect studies reflecting the current state of the art relevant to potential quantum effects operating in brain cells, and quantum-like effects at the level of behavior, in order to survey the range of current evidence relevant to quantum and quantum-like functions of the brain. Because the focus of this collection is neuroscience, theoretical/modeling studies are appropriate if they address neural mechanisms.
· Computational and/or experimental papers, supporting the presence of quantum states, such as coherent states and entanglement at room temperature in aqueous environments, or supporting specific quantum models.
· Quantum phenomena in biopolymers, microtubules, etc.
· Studies supporting quantum phenomena, such as quantum tunneling, in chemical reactions or non-chemical interactions.
· Studies of quantum-like cognition in humans or other animals.
· Studies relating quantum-like cognition to potential neural mechanisms.
· Experimental studies using MRI or other imaging technology to implicate quantum or potentially quantum effects in brain function.
· Studies relating ultraweak biophoton radiation to cognition or brain function.
· Studies of electromagnetic resonances or potentially quantum phenomena in neurons.
Keywords: quantum, quantum-like, neuroscience, quantum cognition, psychology, microtubules, biopolymers, quantum phenomena
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
