Researchers have found that individual human brain cells can perform remarkably complex computations, challenging the idea that neurons function mainly as simple on-off switches. The study suggests that the unique structure and electrical properties of human cortical neurons allow them to process information with a level of complexity that may help explain the brain’s extraordinary abilities. Using advanced computer modeling and artificial intelligence, scientists compared the computational capabilities of human neurons with those of other mammals. They found that human cortical neurons, with their richly branching dendritic structures, can act as sophisticated information-processing units, performing computations comparable to those of deep neural networks. The findings offer a new perspective on human intelligence, suggesting that our cognitive abilities may depend not only on the brain’s vast number of neurons and connections, but also on the remarkable computational power of individual cells. The research could also inspire new approaches to developing AI systems with more powerful, brain-like artificial neurons.
