Quantum information in neural systems
We exist in the universe and, consequently, obey its physical laws whatever those physical laws may be. Classical physics, however, describes a deterministic clockwork world that is unable to accommodate causally effective conscious experiences. This leads to insurmountable problems with the theory of evolution, including a lack of explanation of how consciousness could be tolerated by natural selection. Fortunately, quantum mechanics supports a radically different picture of the physical world in which the fabric of reality is comprised of quantum probability amplitudes for potential physical events, whose actual occurrence is decided indeterministically by the inherent propensity of quantum systems to produce a definite physical outcome upon measurement. This provides a fertile ground for the physical modeling of consciousness due to dichotomy between what exists in the form of quantum states, and what can be observed in the form of quantum observables.
Quantum propensities and free will
Capacity of conscious agents to perform genuine choices among future alternatives is a prerequisite for moral responsibility. Determinism that pervades classical physics, however, forbids free will and undermines ethics. To resolve that impasse, we use the indeterminism of quantum physics to derive a measure for the amount of free will manifested by the brain cortex. The interaction between the nervous system and the environment performs a quantum measurement upon the neural constituents, which actualize a single measurement outcome from the available choices.
Computational capacity of pyramidal neurons
Electric activities of cortical pyramidal neurons are supported by structurally stable, morphologically complex axo-dendritic trees. Anatomical differences between axons and dendrites in regard to their length or caliber reflect the underlying functional specializations, for input or output of neural information, respectively. To properly assess the computational capacity of cortical pyramidal neurons, various morphometric measures of their axons and dendrites need to be precisely quantified from available three-dimensional digital reconstructions.
Retelling traumatic stories in virtual reality
Virtual Reality (VR) shapes modern life, including entertainment and digital health. In medicine, VR could be used to teach skills, alleviate challenging psychological conditions and bring relaxation. VR is also a common treatment tool for psychological trauma with its capability to immerse the patient in exposure scenarios as it recreates life events in a realistic way. This storytelling feature of VR, combined with the strong sense of presence elicited in the people who are immersed in VR, promises a great potential in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.