“The Quantum Mind” gives neurosurgical meaning to the catchphrase “thinking outside the box.” The authors, three of neurosurgery’s esteemed senior citizens, present this book as a work in progress; as such it vacillates between memoirs, science, and science fiction, and exhibits a profound need for editing. Yet, with this book the authors make a long-needed and exceedingly admirable attempt to create a bridge between chemistry and physics and bring new understanding to brain function.
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| The Quantum Mind, by Richard M. Bergland, MD, Peter J. Janetta, MD, and Thomas H. Milhorat, MD, Helmet Press, Lakeland, Fla. 2003; 462pp., $40. |
For example, they present a new, heuristic view of why the brain is hollow. On the basis of the fine structure of nerve cells and the heretofore largely unexplained function of billions of Purkinje cells, the authors postulate that the secret to brain water circulation is a cerebellar water pump. Ultraclean water is sucked into the cerebellum by negative pressure. “Ordered” water within axonal microtubules is pumped up to the cerebrum by Purkinje cell quantum mechanical oscillations. Brain water flows through the brain’s extracellular space like cleansing rain to enter the ventricles. The choroid plexus adds water to the ventricles, and in a process similar to that of the kidneys, the head of the caudate filters out useless molecules to get rid of waste. Debris is swept out of the ventricles, and the circulation process then begins again.
Forty-five bits of evidence are presented to give credence to the new theory of brain water circulation. For example, the authors postulate that there are three brain water pumps energized separately by quantum wavicles, ventricular physics, and choroid chemistry. The cerebellar water pump makes water go up against gravity by quantum wavicles. The other two pumps make water go down.
Some of the evidence is compelling, but the last six items relate to vascular compression of cranial nerves, which seems far-fetched and unrelated: The authors speculate that patients usually are improved immediately after microvascular decompression because “forceful pulsations against nerve axon microtubules [have] brought disorder to ordered water.”
Purkinje Cells Have a Hand in Handedness
An interesting new theory of handedness is presented. The authors speculate that people are right-handed because the larger right chest bellows sucks more blood than the smaller left chest bellows. As a result a greater tissue pressure decrease in the right cerebellum results in more space for the right cerebellar Purkinje cells to oscillate and entrain without impedance. The right-sided Purkinje cells provide smoother coordination to the right hand.
Finally, there is a new explanation for consciousness, which also involves the Purkinje cells. Whether we are awake or asleep depends on the synchronicity of the rhythms of the nerve impulse and the nerve anti-impulse.
“Heurograms” Convey the Concepts
Of the 462 pages comprising this book, it is mostly pictures, or cartoons, that have been labeled “heurograms.” Heuristic means providing aid and direction in
the solutions of a problem, and true to their etymology, the heurograms are extremely helpful in understanding the authors’ speculations.
I like this book, although I dislike the authors’ heavy-handed and relentless criticism of Walter Dandy and the Johns Hopkins Hunterian Laboratory. However, counterbalancing the anti-Dandy harangue are wonderful speculations by three fertile minds in presentation of a provocative hypothesis.
The book lacks the conventional scientific proof that would make most neurosurgeons comfortable and replaces it with “synthesis by over-analysis.” Nevertheless, I urge you to do what the authors are asking: Read this book and respond via the “Forum” message board at www.wavicle.info.
Gary Vander Ark, MD, is the director of the Neurosurgery Residency Program at the University of Colorado and president of the Colorado Medical Society. He is the 2001recipient of the AANS Humanitarian Award.