Title | Quantitative descriptions of generalized arousal, an elementary function of the vertebrate brain. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2011 |
Authors | Quinkert, Amy Wells, Vimal Vivek, Weil Zachary M., Reeke George N., Schiff Nicholas D., Banavar Jayanth R., and Pfaff Donald W. |
Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A |
Volume | 108 Suppl 3 |
Pagination | 15617-23 |
Date Published | 2011 Sep 13 |
ISSN | 1091-6490 |
Keywords | Animals, Arousal, Brain, Humans, Hunger, Information Theory, Nonlinear Dynamics, Vertebrates |
Abstract | We review a concept of the most primitive, fundamental function of the vertebrate CNS, generalized arousal (GA). Three independent lines of evidence indicate the existence of GA: statistical, genetic, and mechanistic. Here we ask, is this concept amenable to quantitative analysis? Answering in the affirmative, four quantitative approaches have proven useful: (i) factor analysis, (ii) information theory, (iii) deterministic chaos, and (iv) application of a Gaussian equation. It strikes us that, to date, not just one but at least four different quantitative approaches seem necessary for describing different aspects of scientific work on GA. |
DOI | 10.1073/pnas.1101894108 |
Alternate Journal | Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. |
PubMed ID | 21555568 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC3176607 |
Grant List | HD-05751 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States MH-38273 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States R01 NS067249 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States |
Submitted by mam2155 on January 7, 2014 - 10:53am