Adaptive behavior in sub-neural microtubule automata

Interiors of neurons are occupied and organized by dynamic networks, called cytoskeletons, of protein polymers. These biomolecular networks (microtubules, or MT, actin, intermediate filaments, centrioles, etc.) are coupled to membrane events and regulate cellular activities, including synaptic plasticity. Models of purposeful behavior in the cytoskeleton include MT automata, in which cooperative coupling among MT subunit dipole/conformational states gives rise to computational patterns. The authors model MT automata interconnected by MAPs (microtubular associated proteins). It has been shown that these cytoskeletal networks are capable of adaptive learning, association, and retrograde signaling. It is pointed out that MT automata may provide a subneural dimension in the brain's hierarchical organization and that artificial neural nets may more closely approximate the brain by including subneural processing.