Sebastian Seung: I am my connectome

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, Sebastian Seung explores the concept of the connectome—the intricate web of connections between neurons in the brain—and its potential role in shaping our identity, memories, and mental processes. He proposes the hypothesis 'I am my connectome,' suggesting that our experiences shape the neural connections that define who we are. Seung discusses the technological challenges in mapping the human connectome and its implications for understanding mental disorders, memory, and even the possibility of preserving identity after death. The talk intertwines neuroscience, technology, and philosophical reflection on human nature.

Takeaways

• 🧬 We live in the age of genomics, where your genome is the entire sequence of your DNA.
• 👀 Individual differences in DNA sequences explain variations in traits, like eye color and personality.
• 💡 While genes influence health and traits, we are more than just our genetic makeup.
• 🧠 Sebastian Seung introduces the concept of the connectome, the network of neural connections in the brain.
• 🔬 Only one complete connectome has been mapped so far, that of the C. elegans worm, consisting of 300 neurons and 7,000 connections.
• 📊 Human brains are far more complex, with 100 billion neurons and one million times more connections than in the genome.
• 💭 The hypothesis that 'I am my connectome' suggests that memories and aspects of personal identity may be stored in the connections between neurons.
• 🤖 Technological advancements, such as automated imaging and AI, will be necessary to map complex human connectomes.
• 🌱 Connectomes change over time through neural activity and experiences, demonstrating a dynamic relationship between nature and nurture.
• 🔮 Mapping a human connectome is a long-term challenge, but it could unlock new understanding of identity, memory, mental disorders, and even immortality.

Q & A

What is a genome, and how does it differ between individuals?

A genome is the entire sequence of an individual's DNA. While everyone has a genome, each person's DNA sequence is slightly different, which accounts for physical and genetic differences, such as eye color.

What is the main hypothesis presented by Sebastian Seung in the transcript?

Sebastian Seung proposes the hypothesis that 'I am my connectome,' suggesting that personal identity, memories, and potentially even personality are encoded in the connections between neurons in the brain, rather than solely in genes.

What is a connectome, and why is it significant?

A connectome is the complete map of connections between neurons in the brain. It is significant because it might hold the key to understanding personal identity, memory storage, and mental processes at the neuronal level.

How does the complexity of the human connectome compare to the genome?

The human connectome is far more complex than the genome. While the genome contains a finite sequence of DNA letters, the connectome contains about one million times more connections than the genome has letters, with around 100 billion neurons and trillions of connections.

What technologies are being developed to study connectomes, and how do they work?

Technologies being developed to study connectomes include high-resolution imaging techniques that take thin slices of brain tissue and stack them into 3D models. Scientists then color neurons in different shades and map their connections, including synapses between neurons.

What are synapses, and what role do they play in brain function?

Synapses are the points where two neurons connect and communicate with each other. At the synapse, neurotransmitters are released from one neuron to signal the other, facilitating communication between neurons and enabling brain function.

How do changes in the connectome occur over time, and what influences these changes?

The connectome changes over time as neurons grow new branches, lose old ones, and create or eliminate synapses. These changes are influenced by both genetic programming and neural activity, the latter of which can be shaped by experiences, thoughts, and environmental interactions.

What is the potential impact of understanding the connectome on studying mental disorders?

By understanding connectomes, scientists may be able to detect mis-wiring in the brain, potentially providing clearer insights into mental disorders like anorexia or autism, which are thought to involve abnormal brain wiring.

What is the relationship between neural activity and the connectome according to the metaphor Seung uses?

Seung compares neural activity to water in a stream and the connectome to the bed of the stream. Just as the water flows along the stream bed, neural activity follows the paths laid out by the connectome. Over time, neural activity can reshape the connectome, similar to how water can change the stream bed.

What is the ultimate goal of connectome research, and how might it influence our understanding of personal identity?

The ultimate goal of connectome research is to map entire human connectomes, which could potentially allow scientists to read memories, understand personality, and even test the hypothesis that personal identity is encoded in neural connections. This could revolutionize how we understand consciousness and individuality.