Neurons are really really hard to reverse. You are much better off using existing neural stem cells (adults retain a population in the hippocampus which spawn new neurons throughout life just specifically in the memory formation area.)
So actually it’s pretty straightforward to get new immature neurons for an adult. The hard part is inserting them without doing damage to existing neurons, and then getting them to connect in helpful rather than harmful ways. The developmental chemotaxis signals are no longer present, and the existing neurons are now embedded in a physically hardened extracellular matrix made of protein that locks axons and dendrites in place. So you have to (carefully!) partially dissolve this extracellular protein matrix (think firm jello) enough to the the new cells grow azons through it. Plus, you don’t have the stretching forces, so new long distance axons are just definitely not going to be achievable. But for something like improving a specific ability, like mathematical reasoning, you would only need additional local axons in that part of the cortex.
My hope here would be that a few upstream developmental signals can trigger the matrix softening, re-formation of the chemotactic signal gradient, and whatever other unknown factors are needed, all at once.
The developmental chemotaxis signals are no longer present,
Right. what I’m imagining is designing a new chemotaxis signal.
So you have to (carefully!) partially dissolve this extracellular protein matrix (think firm jello) enough to the the new cells grow azons through it
That certainly does sound like a very hard part yup.
Plus, you don’t have the stretching forces, so new long distance axons are just definitely not going to be achievable.
Roll to disbelieve in full generality, sounds like a perfectly reasonable claim for any sort of sane research timeframe.
But for something like improving a specific ability, like mathematical reasoning, you would only need additional local axons in that part of the cortex.
Maybe. I think you might run out of room pretty quick if you haven’t reintroduced enough plasticity to grow new neurons. Seems like you’re gonna need a lot of new neurons, not just a few, in order to get a significant change in capability. Might be wrong about that, but it’s my current hunch.
Yes, ok. Not in full generality. It’s not prohibited by physics, just like 2 OOMs more difficult. So yeah, in a future with ASI, could certainly be done.
Neurons are really really hard to reverse. You are much better off using existing neural stem cells (adults retain a population in the hippocampus which spawn new neurons throughout life just specifically in the memory formation area.) So actually it’s pretty straightforward to get new immature neurons for an adult. The hard part is inserting them without doing damage to existing neurons, and then getting them to connect in helpful rather than harmful ways. The developmental chemotaxis signals are no longer present, and the existing neurons are now embedded in a physically hardened extracellular matrix made of protein that locks axons and dendrites in place. So you have to (carefully!) partially dissolve this extracellular protein matrix (think firm jello) enough to the the new cells grow azons through it. Plus, you don’t have the stretching forces, so new long distance axons are just definitely not going to be achievable. But for something like improving a specific ability, like mathematical reasoning, you would only need additional local axons in that part of the cortex.
My hope here would be that a few upstream developmental signals can trigger the matrix softening, re-formation of the chemotactic signal gradient, and whatever other unknown factors are needed, all at once.
Right. what I’m imagining is designing a new chemotaxis signal.
That certainly does sound like a very hard part yup.
Roll to disbelieve in full generality, sounds like a perfectly reasonable claim for any sort of sane research timeframe.
Maybe. I think you might run out of room pretty quick if you haven’t reintroduced enough plasticity to grow new neurons. Seems like you’re gonna need a lot of new neurons, not just a few, in order to get a significant change in capability. Might be wrong about that, but it’s my current hunch.
Yes, ok. Not in full generality. It’s not prohibited by physics, just like 2 OOMs more difficult. So yeah, in a future with ASI, could certainly be done.