Review of "The Hedonistic Neuron: A Theory of Memory, Learning, and Intelligence by A. Harry Klopf"; Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, Washington, 1982.

Abstract

In an age in which verbose obfuscation becomes more fashionable with every new government appointment, one has to appreciate an author who can give a cogent summary of his entire book in the second paragraph of his Preface:The book examines a theory of brain function based on the postulate that neurons "seek" excitation and "avoid" inhibition, this goal being pursued within well-defined limits that preclude an epileptic outcome (except under pathological circumstances that, indeed, we know do arise). In the development of the theory, it will be seen that a plausible adaptive mechanism exists that can account, in mechanistic terms, for the postulated neuronal behavior. Also, the notion of an excitation-seeking, inhibition-avoiding neuron will be shown to be consistent with experimentally observed neuronal behavior. Neuronal and cortical polarization studies, the mirror focus, and epileptic foci appear to be understandable in light of the proposed neuronal model. At a psychological level, habituation, dishabituation, classical and operant conditioning, and extinction can be shown to be straightforward consequences of a goal-seeking neuron like the kind proposed. None of this is to suggest that the validity of the proposed theory is demonstrated here. Far from it. Difficult experiments will have to be performed at the neuronal level to test the theory rigorously. Until these experiments are accomplished, the significance of the theory lies in its offering a fundamentally new view of brain function, a view that suggests alternative, and perhaps more productive, experiments.