he--- include_toc: true --- # Tripartite Synapse — Pseudocode v7 ## Part 1 — Conventions ``` SCOPE = { DAY, NIGHT } CONTEXT = { AP, NOT_AP, bAP, NOT_bAP, CONTINUOUS } DAY variable types: BUDGET = combined fast energy + fast consumable materials one variable per component replenished in NOT contexts (received from upstream) consumed in AP/bAP/CONTINUOUS contexts (execution behaviors) NIGHT variable types: ENERGY = ATP for structural assembly — NOT recoverable after LTD MATERIAL = slow structural proteins — RECOVERABLE after LTD STRUCTURE = slow architectural ceiling READ in DAY, WRITTEN only in NIGHT FAST_TRACE, TAG = as before ``` --- ## Part 2 — Fixed Parameters ``` // Thresholds — all FIXED FIXED Ca_TAG_threshold // Ca²⁺ sufficient to set POST CANDIDATE FIXED Ca_HIGH // LTP-driving Ca²⁺ amplitude FIXED Ca_LOW // LTD-driving Ca²⁺ amplitude FIXED spillover_threshold // cleft saturation for mGluR activation FIXED eligibility_threshold // minimum fast_trace for tagging eligibility FIXED dopamine_threshold // minimum dopamine for tag stabilization FIXED tagging_threshold // minimum possible_tagging for tag accumulation FIXED tag_expiry_threshold // minimum tag strength to survive to NIGHT FIXED homeostatic_ceiling // max soma firing before global downscale FIXED structural_decay_rate // passive decay rate of all structures per NIGHT FIXED recycling_fraction // fraction of material recovered after LTD // Organism-level signals — FIXED (externally driven) FIXED dopamine_level // VTA broadcast — reward/save signal FIXED NE_level // locus coeruleus — arousal/gain FIXED ACh_level // basal forebrain — attention/threshold // Physical constraints — FIXED FIXED vascular_glucose_supply // hard energy ceiling — astrocyte root FIXED branch_geometry // dendritic topology — bAP decay profile FIXED Ca_cooperativity_n // Hill coefficient for Ca²⁺-driven NT release FIXED Ca_half_max_K // half-maximal Ca²⁺ for NT release ``` --- ## Part 3 — Budget, Energy, Material Declarations ``` // ── DAY BUDGETS: one per component ──────────────────────────────────── // Replenished in NOT contexts. Consumed in execution contexts. VAR astro_budget // SOURCE: vascular_glucose_supply → glycolysis (ROOT — self-produced) // COVERS: EAAT clearance ATP // D-serine synthesis (serine racemase ATP + serine precursor) // lactate production and export // fast process motility // REPLENISHED: CONTINUOUS context (self-produced continuously) VAR pre_budget // SOURCE: astro_lactate × pre_fraction (primary) // axon→pre shipment in AXON NOT_AP (secondary) // COVERS: VGCC opening + vesicle fusion + VATPase refill // fast vesicle membrane lipid turnover // synaptotagmin recycling // REPLENISHED: PRE NOT_AP context (receives from AXON) VAR post_budget // SOURCE: astro_lactate × post_fraction (primary) // dend→post shipment in DEND NOT_bAP (secondary) // COVERS: NaK pump reset + NMDA current handling // AMPA lateral diffusion + rapid recycling // actin monomers for transient spine changes // PKA phosphorylation (minor) // REPLENISHED: POST NOT_bAP context (receives from DEND) VAR dend_budget // SOURCE: astro_lactate × dend_fraction (primary) // soma→dend shipment in SOMA NOT_AP (secondary) // COVERS: bAP propagation along branch (NaK reset at each segment) // local mRNA translation (ribosome running cost) // fast Ca²⁺ handling (SERCA pump) // fast mRNA consumables for local translation // REPLENISHED: DEND NOT_bAP context (receives from SOMA) VAR soma_budget // SOURCE: own mitochondria (self-produced — independent of astrocyte) // COVERS: AP generation (Na⁺/K⁺ currents + NaK reset) // CREB phosphorylation (minor fast cost) // nuclear Ca²⁺ handling // shipping costs to DEND and AXON // REPLENISHED: SOMA NOT_AP context (self-replenished from mitochondria) VAR axon_budget // SOURCE: soma→axon shipment in SOMA NOT_AP (primary) // astro_lactate × axon_fraction along shaft (secondary) // COVERS: AP propagation at nodes of Ranvier (NaK reset) // kinesin/dynein motor running cost // fast myelin maintenance // REPLENISHED: AXON NOT_AP context (receives from SOMA) VAR astro_lactate // Fuel exported by astrocyte → all neuronal components // = min(glycolysis(vascular_glucose_supply), astro_budget × export_fraction) // Distributed continuously in ASTRO CONTINUOUS context // ── NIGHT ENERGY: ATP for structural assembly — NOT recoverable ──────── VAR astro_energy // process retraction + ECM secretion + racemase upregulation VAR pre_energy // AZ scaffold incorporation + VGCC clustering VAR post_energy // CaMKII anchoring + actin polymerization + PSD remodeling VAR dend_energy // mitochondria incorporation + cytoskeletal reinforcement VAR soma_energy // ribosome biogenesis + ion channel incorporation VAR axon_energy // myelination + microtubule stabilization // ── NIGHT MATERIAL: slow structural proteins — RECOVERABLE after LTD ── VAR astro_material // EAAT proteins + racemase enzyme + ECM proteins // + process cytoskeleton // SOURCE: astrocyte cell body synthesis (overnight) // RECOVERY: partially after LTD (recycling_fraction) VAR pre_material // RIM + Munc13 + VGCC subunits + structural vesicle proteins // SOURCE: soma_material → axon_material → pre_material // RECOVERY: significantly after LTD → axonal pool VAR post_material // AMPA subunits + PSD scaffold + structural actin + CaMKII // SOURCE: soma_material → dend_material → post_material // RECOVERY: significantly after LTD → dendritic reserve VAR dend_material // Arc mRNA + plasticity mRNAs + mitochondria // + cytoskeletal proteins + AMPA in transit // SOURCE: soma_material → dend_material // RECOVERY: partially after branch pruning VAR soma_material // ALL structural proteins for downstream components // SOURCE: CREB-driven synthesis (peaks in NIGHT, soma_tag driven) // DISTRIBUTES TO: dend_material + axon_material → pre_material VAR axon_material // motor proteins + microtubule components + myelin proteins // SOURCE: soma_material → axon_material // RECOVERY: partially after axon structural reduction ``` --- ## Part 4 — Structural Variables (NIGHT only) ``` VAR pre_structure // RRP_capacity + VGCC_coupling + refill_ceiling VAR post_structure // anchoring_slots + spine_volume + local_reserve_ceiling VAR dend_structure // bAP_fidelity(position) + translation_ceiling + transport_speed VAR soma_structure // baseline_threshold + AP_reliability + synthesis_ceiling VAR axon_structure // propagation_reliability + transport_rate_ceiling VAR astro_structure // perisynaptic_distance⁻¹ + EAAT_density // + D_serine_tonic + ECM_integrity // SELF-REINFORCING in both directions ``` --- ## Part 5 — Trace Variables ``` // Fast traces (DAY only, decay automatically) FAST_TRACE pre_fast_trace // residual Ca²⁺ — τ ≈ 100ms FAST_TRACE post_fast_trace // spine Ca²⁺ × rise_speed — τ ≈ tens of ms FAST_TRACE dend_fast_trace // branch Ca²⁺ integration — τ ≈ 300ms FAST_TRACE soma_fast_trace // nuclear Ca²⁺ — τ ≈ seconds FAST_TRACE axon_fast_trace // AP propagation load — τ ≈ seconds FAST_TRACE astro_fast_trace // perisynaptic Ca²⁺ from mGluR5 — τ ≈ seconds // Possible tagging (intermediate — τ ≈ seconds to minutes) VAR pre_possible_tagging VAR post_possible_tagging // POST: CANDIDATE lifetime VAR dend_possible_tagging VAR soma_possible_tagging VAR axon_possible_tagging VAR astro_possible_tagging // Tags (slow, DAY→NIGHT bridge — τ ≈ hours) TAG pre_tag TAG post_tag // POST only: CANDIDATE→STABLE before NIGHT TAG dend_tag TAG soma_tag TAG axon_tag TAG astro_tag ``` --- --- # SCOPE: DAY Execution contexts (AP, bAP, CONTINUOUS): behaviors run, budgets consumed, traces deposited Replenishment contexts (NOT_AP, NOT_bAP): budgets replenished, traces decay, shipments received --- ## PRE ### CONTEXT: AP ``` scope DAY | context AP: // Budget gate — behavior requires resources if pre_budget < AP_release_cost: suppress(NT_flux) exit context // Fast trace: residual Ca²⁺ deposited pre_fast_trace += spike_Ca_influx(input_freq) pre_fast_trace *= decay(τ = 100ms) pre_budget -= Ca_handling_cost // cost covers: PMCA + NCX pump ATP to remove Ca²⁺ // NT flux: Hill function Ca²⁺ drive × RRP level Ca_drive = pre_fast_trace^Ca_cooperativity_n / (Ca_half_max_K^Ca_cooperativity_n + pre_fast_trace^Ca_cooperativity_n) if RRP_level > 0: NT_flux = RRP_level × Ca_drive glutamate += NT_flux × Δt // cleft concentration rises RRP_level -= NT_flux × Δt // pool depletes pre_budget -= NT_flux × fusion_cost // cost covers: SNARE_ATP + fast_membrane_lipid_turnover // RRP refill — rate limited by pre_budget + pre_structure (READ) RRP_refill = min(refill_rate_constant, pre_structure.refill_ceiling) RRP_level += RRP_refill × Δt RRP_level = clamp(RRP_level, 0, pre_structure.RRP_capacity) pre_budget -= RRP_refill × VATPase_cost // cost covers: VATPase refilling vesicles with NT // Overflow brake: mGluR2/3 Gi — cross-compartment, no pre_budget cost if glutamate > spillover_threshold: Ca_drive *= mGluR_brake_factor ``` ### CONTEXT: NOT_AP ``` scope DAY | context NOT_AP: // Fast trace decays — eligibility window closing pre_fast_trace *= decay(τ = 100ms) // RRP refills during silence — STP recovery RRP_refill = min(refill_rate_constant, pre_structure.refill_ceiling) RRP_level += RRP_refill × Δt RRP_level = clamp(RRP_level, 0, pre_structure.RRP_capacity) pre_budget -= RRP_refill × VATPase_cost // Budget replenishment — received from AXON shipment // (axon ships to pre in AXON NOT_AP context — see below) // astro_lactate also delivered here as top-up pre_budget += astro_lactate × pre_fraction // Note: astro_lactate is the primary continuous supply // axon shipment provides the structural protein transport channel // Possible tagging: graded accumulation while eligible if pre_fast_trace > eligibility_threshold: pre_possible_tagging += pre_fast_trace pre_possible_tagging *= decay(τ = seconds) // Dopamine decays locally dopamine_local *= decay(τ = hundreds_of_ms) // Tag: local eligibility AND global validation coincide if dopamine_local > dopamine_threshold and pre_possible_tagging > tagging_threshold: pre_tag += dopamine_local × pre_possible_tagging pre_tag *= decay(τ = hours) ``` --- ## POST ### CONTEXT: NOT_bAP ``` scope DAY | context NOT_bAP: // Budget replenishment — received from DEND shipment // (dend ships to post in DEND NOT_bAP context — see below) // astro_lactate also delivered as top-up post_budget += astro_lactate × post_fraction post_budget += dend_shipment_to_post // received from DEND NOT_bAP // AMPA current — occupancy of existing slots, gated by post_structure (READ) AMPA_current = glutamate × post_structure.sensitivity Vm += AMPA_current post_budget -= AMPA_current_cost // cost covers: NaK_reset_ATP + fast_receptor_recycling_lipids // NMDA gate: depolarization + D-serine + glutamate — three-way coincidence if Vm > Mg_eject_threshold and astro_D_serine > D_serine_threshold: Ca_influx = NMDA_Ca_influx(glutamate) post_fast_trace += Ca_influx × rise_speed(Ca_influx) post_budget -= NMDA_current_cost // cost covers: NMDA_handling_ATP + fast_actin_transient_cost // Fast trace decays post_fast_trace *= decay(τ = tens_of_ms) // CANDIDATE tag: Ca²⁺ above threshold — Hebbian anticipation window if post_fast_trace > Ca_TAG_threshold: post_possible_tagging += post_fast_trace post_possible_tagging *= decay(τ = minutes) post_budget -= PKA_priming_cost // cost covers: PKA phosphorylation of GluA1-Ser845 (minor) // Dopamine decays dopamine_local *= decay(τ = hundreds_of_ms) // STABLE tag: CANDIDATE + dopamine within stabilization window if dopamine_local > dopamine_threshold and post_possible_tagging > tagging_threshold: post_tag += dopamine_local × post_possible_tagging post_tag *= decay(τ = hours) ``` ### CONTEXT: bAP ``` scope DAY | context bAP: // bAP arrives — strength set by dend_structure.bAP_fidelity (READ) Vm += bAP_depolarization × dend_structure.bAP_fidelity post_budget -= bAP_reset_cost // cost covers: NaK_reset_ATP for bAP-driven depolarization at spine // Coincidence confirmation: bAP finds CANDIDATE already set if post_possible_tagging > Ca_TAG_threshold: post_fast_trace += bAP_Ca_boost() // supralinear Ca²⁺ summation — trace amplified above Ca_HIGH // no extra budget cost — Ca²⁺ boost driven by voltage, not pumps ``` --- ## DEND ### CONTEXT: bAP ``` scope DAY | context bAP: // bAP propagates from soma downward through branch // strength attenuates with distance — set by dend_structure (READ) bAP_local = propagate_bAP(SOMA.AP_fired, dend_structure.bAP_fidelity, branch_geometry) dend_budget -= bAP_propagation_cost // cost covers: NaK_reset_ATP at each branch segment // Na⁺ channel re-activation along branch length // Fast trace: branch Ca²⁺ from bAP dend_fast_trace += bAP_Ca_influx(bAP_local) dend_fast_trace += spine_Ca_spillover(active_spines) dend_fast_trace *= decay(τ = 300ms) dend_budget -= branch_Ca_handling_cost // cost covers: SERCA pump re-sequestration of Ca²⁺ // Integrate spine signals upward toward soma branch_Vm = integrate(POST.Vm, all_spines_on_branch) dend_budget -= integration_cost // cost covers: passive membrane maintenance during integration ``` ### CONTEXT: NOT_bAP ``` scope DAY | context NOT_bAP: // Fast trace decays dend_fast_trace *= decay(τ = 300ms) // Budget replenishment — received from SOMA shipment dend_budget += soma_shipment_to_dend // received from SOMA NOT_AP dend_budget += astro_lactate × dend_fraction // astrocyte top-up // Ship budget to POST spines — downstream replenishment dend_shipment_to_post = min(dend_budget × post_delivery_fraction, post_demand(active_spines)) post_budget += dend_shipment_to_post dend_budget -= dend_shipment_to_post // Note: this is fast operational budget (energy + consumables) // structural post_material ships in NIGHT, not here // Possible tagging if dend_fast_trace > eligibility_threshold: dend_possible_tagging += dend_fast_trace dend_possible_tagging *= decay(τ = seconds) // Dopamine decays dopamine_local *= decay(τ = hundreds_of_ms) // Tag if dopamine_local > dopamine_threshold and dend_possible_tagging > tagging_threshold: dend_tag += dopamine_local × dend_possible_tagging dend_tag *= decay(τ = hours) // Local translation: activated when tag set, gated by dend_budget if dend_tag > tag_expiry_threshold and dend_budget > translation_cost: local_proteins = translate(dend_fast_trace) dend_budget -= translation_cost // cost covers: ribosome_running_ATP + fast_mRNA_consumed // Note: uses fast mRNA pool (in dend_budget) // slow structural mRNA pool (dend_material) consumed only in NIGHT // ACh modulates commit threshold globally commit_threshold *= (1 / (1 + ACh_level × ACh_gain)) ``` --- ## SOMA ### CONTEXT: AP ``` scope DAY | context AP: // Firing threshold: structure (READ) × adaptation × neuromodulators × refractory AP_threshold = soma_structure.baseline_threshold × (1 + adaptation_factor(soma_fast_trace)) × neuromod_factor(NE_level, ACh_level) × refractory_factor(time_since_last_AP) if branch_Vm > AP_threshold: AP_fired = True soma_budget -= AP_generation_cost // cost covers: Na⁺/K⁺ current ATP + NaK_reset + fast_signaling_consumables // Fast trace: nuclear Ca²⁺ soma_fast_trace += nuclear_Ca_influx() soma_fast_trace *= decay(τ = seconds) soma_budget -= nuclear_Ca_handling_cost // cost covers: nuclear Ca²⁺ pump ATP // Refractory timer refractory_timer = absolute_refractory_duration // Possible tagging if soma_fast_trace > eligibility_threshold: soma_possible_tagging += soma_fast_trace soma_possible_tagging *= decay(τ = seconds) // Dopamine decays dopamine_local *= decay(τ = hundreds_of_ms) // Tag: nuclear Ca²⁺ AND dopamine coincidence if dopamine_local > dopamine_threshold and soma_possible_tagging > tagging_threshold: soma_tag += dopamine_local × soma_possible_tagging soma_tag *= decay(τ = hours) soma_budget -= CREB_phosphorylation_cost // cost covers: CREB phospho ATP (minor fast cost) // full CREB-driven synthesis is NIGHT operation consuming soma_energy ``` ### CONTEXT: NOT_AP ``` scope DAY | context NOT_AP: // Fast trace decays — threshold returning to baseline soma_fast_trace *= decay(τ = seconds) refractory_timer = max(0, refractory_timer - Δt) // Budget self-replenishment — soma fuels itself from own mitochondria soma_budget += mitochondria_output_rate × Δt // Note: soma is the only component that self-replenishes // all other components receive from soma or astrocyte // Integrate dendritic inputs branch_Vm = integrate(DEND.branch_Vm, all_branches) soma_budget -= integration_cost // Ship budget to DEND — downstream operational replenishment soma_shipment_to_dend = min(soma_budget × dend_delivery_fraction, dend_demand(dend_tag)) dend_budget += soma_shipment_to_dend soma_budget -= soma_shipment_to_dend + shipping_cost // cost covers: fast organelle delivery running cost // Note: structural dend_material ships in NIGHT, not here // Ship budget to AXON — downstream operational replenishment soma_shipment_to_axon = min(soma_budget × axon_delivery_fraction, axon_demand(axon_tag)) axon_budget += soma_shipment_to_axon soma_budget -= soma_shipment_to_axon + shipping_cost // cost covers: fast axonal fuel delivery // Note: structural axon_material and pre_material ship in NIGHT // Dopamine decays dopamine_local *= decay(τ = hundreds_of_ms) ``` --- ## AXON ### CONTEXT: AP ``` scope DAY | context AP: // AP propagation — reliability set by axon_structure (READ) propagation_reliability = axon_structure.myelination × (1 - failure_rate(axon_fast_trace)) APs_delivered = AP_fired × propagation_reliability axon_budget -= AP_propagation_cost × APs_delivered // cost covers: NaK_reset_ATP at each node of Ranvier // Fast trace: propagation load deposited axon_fast_trace += APs_delivered axon_fast_trace *= decay(τ = seconds) // high axon_fast_trace → Na⁺ channel inactivation → propagation failure // this is axonal STD — frequency-dependent filtering ``` ### CONTEXT: NOT_AP ``` scope DAY | context NOT_AP: // Fast trace decays — propagation reliability recovering axon_fast_trace *= decay(τ = seconds) // Budget replenishment — received from SOMA shipment axon_budget += soma_shipment_to_axon // received from SOMA NOT_AP axon_budget += astro_lactate × axon_fraction // astrocyte top-up along shaft // Ship budget to PRE boutons — downstream operational replenishment axon_shipment_to_pre = min(axon_budget × pre_delivery_fraction, pre_demand(pre_tag)) pre_budget += axon_shipment_to_pre axon_budget -= axon_shipment_to_pre + axon_shipping_cost // cost covers: kinesin_ATPase running cost for fast delivery to boutons // Note: structural pre_material (AZ proteins) ships in NIGHT, not here // Possible tagging if axon_fast_trace > eligibility_threshold: axon_possible_tagging += axon_fast_trace axon_possible_tagging *= decay(τ = seconds) // Dopamine decays dopamine_local *= decay(τ = hundreds_of_ms) // Tag if dopamine_local > dopamine_threshold and axon_possible_tagging > tagging_threshold: axon_tag += dopamine_local × axon_possible_tagging axon_tag *= decay(τ = hours) ``` --- ## ASTRO ### CONTEXT: CONTINUOUS ``` scope DAY | context CONTINUOUS: // ROOT energy production — self-generated from vascular glucose astro_budget += glycolysis(vascular_glucose_supply) × Δt // hard cap: vascular_glucose_supply (FIXED) — cannot be exceeded // cost covers: glycolysis running cost (minimal — glycolysis is the revenue here) // Lactate export — distributes to ALL neuronal components continuously astro_lactate = min(astro_budget × lactate_export_fraction, vascular_glucose_supply × max_export_fraction) astro_budget -= astro_lactate // Distribution happens via specific component budgets in their NOT contexts: // pre_budget += astro_lactate × pre_fraction (in PRE NOT_AP) // post_budget += astro_lactate × post_fraction (in POST NOT_bAP) // dend_budget += astro_lactate × dend_fraction (in DEND NOT_bAP) // axon_budget += astro_lactate × axon_fraction (in AXON NOT_AP) // Note: astro_lactate is the variable; delivery happens when components replenish // Glutamate clearance — rate set by astro_structure (READ) clearance = astro_structure.EAAT_density × glutamate × Δt glutamate -= clearance astro_budget -= clearance × EAAT_ATP_cost // cost covers: EAAT cotransport ATP + secondary NaK pump cost // Tonic D-serine baseline — from astro_structure (READ) astro_D_serine += astro_structure.D_serine_tonic × Δt astro_budget -= astro_structure.D_serine_tonic × tonic_synthesis_cost // cost covers: constitutive racemase ATP + baseline serine fast cost // Overflow detection and D-serine pulse release if glutamate > spillover_threshold: astro_fast_trace += mGluR5_Ca_influx() astro_fast_trace *= decay(τ = seconds) D_serine_pulse = min(proportional_to(astro_fast_trace), astro_budget × Ds_fraction) astro_budget -= D_serine_pulse × Ds_synthesis_cost astro_D_serine += D_serine_pulse // cost covers: racemase_ATP + serine_precursor_fast_cost // Simultaneous presynaptic brake — cross-compartment, no astro cost Ca_drive_pre *= mGluR_brake_factor // Possible tagging if astro_fast_trace > eligibility_threshold: astro_possible_tagging += astro_fast_trace astro_possible_tagging *= decay(τ = seconds) // Dopamine decays dopamine_local *= decay(τ = hundreds_of_ms) // Tag if dopamine_local > dopamine_threshold and astro_possible_tagging > tagging_threshold: astro_tag += dopamine_local × astro_possible_tagging astro_tag *= decay(τ = hours) // Global overload check if astro_fast_trace > OVERLOAD_threshold: trigger(shockwave_lockdown) ``` --- ## Special Case — Shockwave Lockdown ``` scope DAY or NIGHT | context OVERLOAD: // Emergency — bypasses all budget gates Vm = HYPERPOLARIZED post_budget -= emergency_reset_cost // DAY cost AMPA_occupancy = mass_internalization() // receptors to post reserve axon_fast_trace += overdrive_cluster() // VGCC clustering beneath AZ astro_budget -= emergency_astro_cost // Note: in NIGHT, post_energy used if structural receptors affected ``` --- --- # SCOPE: NIGHT {component}_energy and {component}_material used — NOT {component}_budget Structural variables WRITTEN. Tags evaluated and cleared. Budget variables replenished here for next DAY. --- ## Step 1 — Replenish All Budgets, Energy, and Material ``` scope NIGHT | step 1: // ── ASTROCYTE: root replenishment ─────────────────────────────── astro_budget += overnight_glycolysis(vascular_glucose_supply) × Δt_night // replenishes fast operational budget for next DAY astro_energy += overnight_astro_energy_synthesis() × Δt_night // replenishes structural assembly ATP astro_material += astrocyte_cellbody_synthesis() × Δt_night // replenishes: EAAT proteins + racemase + ECM proteins + process cytoskeleton // ── SOMA: self-replenishment + material production ─────────────── soma_budget += overnight_mitochondria_output() × Δt_night // replenishes fast operational budget for next DAY soma_energy += overnight_soma_energy_reserve() × Δt_night // replenishes structural assembly ATP soma_material += CREB_driven_synthesis(soma_tag) × Δt_night // PRIMARY MATERIAL PRODUCTION — rate set by soma_tag magnitude // this is the production bottleneck for ALL downstream structural commits // ── MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION: soma → downstream ───────────────────── // Soma ships structural material to branches and axon dend_material += soma_material × dend_material_fraction axon_material += soma_material × axon_material_fraction soma_material -= (dend_material_fraction + axon_material_fraction) × soma_material // Branch delivers structural material to spines post_material += dend_material × spine_material_fraction dend_material -= spine_material_fraction × dend_material // Axon delivers structural material to boutons pre_material += axon_material × bouton_material_fraction axon_material -= bouton_material_fraction × axon_material // ── DOWNSTREAM ENERGY REPLENISHMENT ───────────────────────────── pre_energy += soma_energy × pre_energy_fraction post_energy += soma_energy × post_energy_fraction dend_energy += soma_energy × dend_energy_fraction axon_energy += soma_energy × axon_energy_fraction // all downstream structural assembly ATP sourced from soma overnight // ── DOWNSTREAM BUDGET REPLENISHMENT for next DAY ───────────────── pre_budget += astro_lactate × pre_fraction × Δt_night post_budget += astro_lactate × post_fraction × Δt_night dend_budget += astro_lactate × dend_fraction × Δt_night axon_budget += astro_lactate × axon_fraction × Δt_night // Note: budgets partially pre-loaded here so components start DAY operational ``` --- ## Step 2 — Structural Commits (Parallel, Independent) ``` scope NIGHT | step 2: // Coherence bonus when pre, post, astro all tagged simultaneously all_aligned = (pre_tag > tag_expiry_threshold and post_tag > tag_expiry_threshold and astro_tag > tag_expiry_threshold) coherence_bonus = all_aligned ? coherence_factor : 1.0 // ── PRE COMMIT ────────────────────────────────────────────────── if pre_tag > tag_expiry_threshold: Δpre = min(AZ_expansion_cost, pre_material, pre_energy × pre_fraction) pre_structure += Δpre × coherence_bonus // STRUCTURE WRITTEN pre_material -= Δpre // consumed — RECOVERABLE pre_energy -= Δpre × assembly_ATP_cost // consumed — NOT recoverable if Δpre < AZ_expansion_cost: queue(pre_deficit → next NIGHT) // ── POST COMMIT ───────────────────────────────────────────────── if post_tag > tag_expiry_threshold: Δpost = min(AMPA_insertion_cost, post_material, post_energy × post_fraction) post_structure += Δpost × coherence_bonus // STRUCTURE WRITTEN post_material -= Δpost // RECOVERABLE post_energy -= Δpost × assembly_ATP_cost // NOT recoverable if Δpost < AMPA_insertion_cost: queue(post_deficit → next NIGHT) // ── DEND COMMIT ───────────────────────────────────────────────── if dend_tag > tag_expiry_threshold: Δdend = min(branch_expansion_cost, dend_material, dend_energy × dend_fraction) dend_structure += Δdend × coherence_bonus // STRUCTURE WRITTEN dend_material -= Δdend // RECOVERABLE (partially) dend_energy -= Δdend × assembly_ATP_cost if Δdend < branch_expansion_cost: queue(dend_deficit → next NIGHT) // ── SOMA COMMIT ───────────────────────────────────────────────── if soma_tag > tag_expiry_threshold: Δsoma = min(soma_expansion_cost, soma_material, soma_energy × soma_fraction) soma_structure += Δsoma // STRUCTURE WRITTEN soma_material -= Δsoma // RECOVERABLE (partially) soma_energy -= Δsoma × assembly_ATP_cost // ── AXON COMMIT ───────────────────────────────────────────────── if axon_tag > tag_expiry_threshold: Δaxon = min(axon_expansion_cost, axon_material, axon_energy × axon_fraction) axon_structure += Δaxon // STRUCTURE WRITTEN axon_material -= Δaxon // RECOVERABLE (partially) axon_energy -= Δaxon × assembly_ATP_cost if Δaxon < axon_expansion_cost: queue(axon_deficit → next NIGHT) // ── ASTRO COMMIT ──────────────────────────────────────────────── if astro_tag > tag_expiry_threshold: Δastro = min(process_retraction_cost, astro_material, astro_energy × astro_fraction) astro_structure += Δastro × coherence_bonus // STRUCTURE WRITTEN astro_material -= Δastro // RECOVERABLE (recycling_fraction) astro_energy -= Δastro × assembly_ATP_cost if Δastro < process_retraction_cost: queue(astro_deficit → next NIGHT) // SELF-REINFORCING: astro_structure ↑ → D_serine_tonic ↑ + // perisynaptic_distance ↓ → future LTP easier ``` --- ## Step 3 — Passive Depotentiation ``` scope NIGHT | step 3: // Potentiation draws material first. // Remainder distributed as maintenance. // Below maintenance threshold: structure decays passively. // Depotentiation = resource neglect, not active depression signal. remaining_material = total_material_pool - material_consumed_by_commits maintenance_per_synapse = remaining_material × maintenance_fraction / total_synapse_count for each synapse: // Structural decay — passive and continuous pre_structure -= structural_decay_rate × Δt_night post_structure -= structural_decay_rate × Δt_night dend_structure -= structural_decay_rate × Δt_night astro_structure -= structural_decay_rate × Δt_night // Maintenance counters decay where possible if maintenance_per_synapse >= maintenance_cost: pre_structure += maintenance_pre // fully maintained post_structure += maintenance_post dend_structure += maintenance_dend astro_structure += maintenance_astro else: pre_structure += maintenance_per_synapse × pre_fraction post_structure += maintenance_per_synapse × post_fraction dend_structure += maintenance_per_synapse × dend_fraction astro_structure += maintenance_per_synapse × astro_fraction // net: structures drift down — DEPOTENTIATION BY NEGLECT // LTD material recovery: returned to pools // Energy NOT recovered — asymmetry justifies separate energy + material in NIGHT for each synapse where net_structure_change < 0: recovered = abs(net_structure_change) × recycling_fraction pre_material += recovered × pre_fraction post_material += recovered × post_fraction astro_material += recovered × astro_fraction × recycling_fraction ``` --- ## Step 4 — Homeostatic Scaling ``` scope NIGHT | step 4: if soma_tag > homeostatic_ceiling: scale_factor = homeostatic_ceiling / soma_tag for each synapse: post_structure *= scale_factor // STRUCTURE WRITTEN pre_structure *= scale_factor // STRUCTURE WRITTEN soma_material += sum(structure_reduction) × recycling_fraction // energy NOT recovered ``` --- ## Step 5 — Clear All Traces ``` scope NIGHT | step 5: // Fast traces: confirmed zero pre_fast_trace = post_fast_trace = dend_fast_trace = 0 soma_fast_trace = axon_fast_trace = astro_fast_trace = 0 // Possible tagging: confirmed zero pre_possible_tagging = post_possible_tagging = dend_possible_tagging = 0 soma_possible_tagging = axon_possible_tagging = astro_possible_tagging = 0 // Tags: cleared after commit, carried forward if above threshold if pre_tag < tag_expiry_threshold: pre_tag = 0 if post_tag < tag_expiry_threshold: post_tag = 0 if dend_tag < tag_expiry_threshold: dend_tag = 0 if soma_tag < tag_expiry_threshold: soma_tag = 0 if axon_tag < tag_expiry_threshold: axon_tag = 0 if astro_tag < tag_expiry_threshold: astro_tag = 0 ``` --- ## Summary: Budget Shipment Chain (DAY) ``` SELF-PRODUCED: vascular_glucose_supply → astro_budget (astrocyte, CONTINUOUS) own_mitochondria → soma_budget (soma, NOT_AP) SHIPMENT CHAIN (DAY operational budgets): astro_budget → astro_lactate → delivered to all components in their NOT contexts: → pre_budget (PRE NOT_AP) → post_budget (POST NOT_bAP, via astro_lactate + dend shipment) → dend_budget (DEND NOT_bAP, via astro_lactate + soma shipment) → axon_budget (AXON NOT_AP, via astro_lactate + soma shipment) soma_budget → soma_shipment_to_dend → dend_budget (SOMA NOT_AP → DEND NOT_bAP) soma_budget → soma_shipment_to_axon → axon_budget (SOMA NOT_AP → AXON NOT_AP) dend_budget → dend_shipment_to_post → post_budget (DEND NOT_bAP → POST NOT_bAP) axon_budget → axon_shipment_to_pre → pre_budget (AXON NOT_AP → PRE NOT_AP) MATERIAL SHIPMENT CHAIN (NIGHT structural material): soma_material → dend_material → post_material (soma → branch → spine) soma_material → axon_material → pre_material (soma → axon → bouton) astrocyte_body → astro_material (astrocyte cell body → astrosynapse) ENERGY DISTRIBUTION (NIGHT assembly ATP): soma_energy → pre_energy, post_energy, dend_energy, axon_energy astro_energy → astro structural commits only ``` # Flows Per ora abbiamo in DAY il {component}_budget che raggruppa energy e material, e in NIGHT {component}_energy e {component}_material. This maps onto a real biological distinction. The astrocyte's lactate and the soma's ATP fund the running costs of the cell — everything that needs to happen just to keep the system operating from moment to moment. CREB-driven protein synthesis funds the capital investment — the slow, expensive structural changes that modify what the running system is capable of. These are two different budgets in the biological sense: operating expenditure versus capital expenditure. Combining them within DAY is correct because DAY is entirely operating expenditure. Keeping them separate in NIGHT is correct because NIGHT mixes operating expenditure with capital expenditure, and only the capital component is recoverable. Combining {component}_energy e {component}_material would hide the fact that dismantling a structure recovers biological building blocks but not the work that was done to assemble them — which is the thermodynamic reality of any construction and deconstruction process. ## Energy flow ``` VASCULAR SUPPLY → ASTROCYTE CELL BODY glucose → lactate (glycolysis) → astro_budget (local ATP for clearance, D-serine, ECM, process motility) → lactate exported to: → pre_budget (ATP for VGCC, vesicle fusion, VATPase) → post_budget (ATP for NaK pump, AMPA trafficking, actin) → dend_budget (ATP for bAP propagation, local translation) → SOMA soma has own mitochondria — partly self-fueled soma_budget (ATP for AP generation, CREB, protein synthesis, shipping) → dend_budget top-up (organelle delivery) → axon_budget top-up (transport machinery) ``` ## Material flow ``` SOMA protein synthesis (CREB-driven, peaks in NIGHT) → soma_material (receptors, scaffold proteins, organelles, mRNA) → dend_material (branch receives proteins + mRNA from soma) → post_material (spine receives receptors + actin from branch) → axon_material (boutons receive AZ proteins + VGCCs from soma via axon) → pre_material (bouton active zone proteins) ASTROSYNAPSE ECM proteins synthesized in astrocyte cell body → astro_material (Glypicans, Thrombospondins, serine for D-serine) → cleft environment (ECM sealing, D-serine availability) ``` Yes, exactly. This is the essential abstract pattern. Let me state it precisely. # The Abstract Pattern A component operates within a structure set by the previous NIGHT. During DAY, in each context, it executes behaviors that cost budget and deposit fast traces. Fast traces are local records of recent activity that bias the next behavior and open an eligibility window for tagging. A tag forms when a local eligibility signal coincides with one or more non-local validation signals within the decay window of the trace — the number of required coincidences reflecting the spatial scale at which that component sits in the system. In contexts without triggering input, all traces decay, closing the windows they opened. At NIGHT, the tag magnitude drives a structural commit proportional to available material and energy — material being recoverable and energy not — with the structural change becoming the new ceiling within which the next DAY's behaviors will operate. What is not committed decays for lack of maintenance, and the resources freed by that decay partially fund the potentiation of what was. ## DAY — The General Form Every DAY behavior follows this template: ``` given: STRUCTURE // the architectural ceiling left by NIGHT in: CONTEXT // local or global triggering condition if: BUDGET > cost // operational resources available then: behavior executes BUDGET -= cost // resources consumed FAST_TRACE += f(behavior) // local record deposited ``` The fast trace then drives two parallel processes: **Within the same context** — the trace biases the next execution of the same behavior. This is the short-term modulation loop. It is entirely local and requires no external signal. **Across contexts** — the trace accumulates into `possible_tagging` when it exceeds the eligibility threshold. This is the bridge toward long-term change. It requires the trace to be sustained enough to survive into the NOT_AP or CONTINUOUS context. ### The Tag Formation — Where Non-Locality Enters The abstract pattern for tag formation generalizes across all components but with different **coincidence requirements**: **PRE, DEND, SOMA, AXON, ASTRO — one non-local coincidence:** ``` if FAST_TRACE > eligibility // local: this bouton was recently active AND dopamine > threshold // non-local: organism-level reward signal then: TAG += dopamine × possible_tagging ``` One spatial scale beyond the local component is required. The organism must confirm that the recent activity was worth saving. **POST — two non-local coincidences:** ``` // First coincidence (NOT_bAP context): if FAST_TRACE > Ca_TAG_threshold // local: spine Ca²⁺ was high AND D-serine > threshold // non-local 1: astrosynapse co-agonist then: post_possible_tagging += FAST_TRACE // CANDIDATE // Second coincidence (bAP context): if post_possible_tagging > threshold // local: CANDIDATE still present AND bAP arrives // non-local 2: soma fired then: FAST_TRACE amplified above Ca_HIGH // Tag stabilization (any context): if post_possible_tagging > threshold // local: confirmed coincidence AND dopamine > threshold // non-local 3: organism validation then: TAG += dopamine × post_possible_tagging // STABLE ``` Three spatial scales must align: astrosynapse, soma, organism. The postsynapse is the most constrained component — it requires the most non-local validation before committing. ### Trace Recession — The Temporal Behavior In every NOT_AP or CONTINUOUS context, all traces decay: ``` FAST_TRACE *= decay(τ_fast) // ms to seconds — closes eligibility window possible_tagging *= decay(τ_mid) // seconds to minutes — closes tagging window TAG *= decay(τ_slow) // hours — closes commitment window ``` The decay is not a separate behavior — it is the passive consequence of molecular processes. But its effect is behavioral: it enforces that coincidences must happen within specific time windows. The system does not check timing explicitly — timing is enforced by the competition between accumulation and decay. ## NIGHT — The General Form ``` given: TAG // strength of DAY evidence for this component STRUCTURE // current architectural state if: TAG > threshold // evidence strong enough to justify investment then: Δstructure = min(expansion_cost, MATERIAL, // slow structural resources available ENERGY × fraction) // assembly ATP available STRUCTURE += Δstructure × coherence_bonus MATERIAL -= Δstructure // RECOVERABLE after LTD ENERGY -= Δstructure × ATP_cost // NOT recoverable ``` The coherence bonus appears when pre, post, and astro tags are all SET simultaneously — the three components of the synapse have all independently gathered evidence for the same structural change, which amplifies the commit beyond what any single tag would produce alone. What is not potentiated passively decays: ``` STRUCTURE -= decay_rate × Δt_night STRUCTURE += min(maintenance_allocation, maintenance_cost) // if maintenance_allocation < decay_rate × Δt_night: // structure drifts down — depotentiation by neglect ``` # More details ## SOMA ### The Abstract Pattern Applied to Soma Timing The abstract pattern says: a behavior deposits a trace, the trace decays, and the trace biases the next behavior. For the soma, the AP is the behavior, and **the refractory period and threshold elevation should both be consequences of a single trace deposited by the AP, decaying back toward baseline**. Neither should be a hardcoded duration — both should emerge from the return of the trace to resting conditions. --- Yes, this is much more consistent with the rest of the architecture. The soma should not compute an explicit rhythm estimate and predict the next input — that is top-down. Instead, the **mismatch itself leaves a trace**, and that trace adjusts the refractory dynamics. Let me think through this carefully. --- ### The Bottom-Up Mechanism The key event is: **a dendritic input arrives strong enough to fire the soma, but the soma is still refractory.** This is a missed opportunity — the input wanted to fire the cell, but the cell was not ready. This mismatch is the signal. Each time this happens, it should leave a trace that biases the refractory dynamics toward recovering faster in that timing window — so that next time an input arrives at that phase, the soma is ready. This is potentiation of the refractory recovery, occurring within DAY, driven entirely by the local coincidence of "input wanted to fire" and "soma was not ready." ``` scope DAY | context NOT_AP (within refractory): // Detect the mismatch: suprathreshold input during refractory if branch_Vm > effective_threshold and soma_Na_inactivation > inactivation_threshold: // Input arrived but soma could not fire — missed coincidence refractory_alignment_trace += (branch_Vm - effective_threshold) × soma_Na_inactivation // graded: stronger input + deeper refractory → larger trace // this is the "potentiation" signal for faster recovery ``` The `refractory_alignment_trace` then biases the recovery rate of the inactivation trace: ``` // Recovery rate biased by accumulated alignment trace recovery_rate = base_recovery_rate × (1 + refractory_alignment_trace) soma_Na_inactivation *= decay(τ_Na / recovery_rate) // more alignment trace → faster recovery → soma ready sooner next time ``` --- ### Why This Is Bottom-Up There is no rhythm estimation, no prediction of the next input time, no computed inter-input interval. The soma does not model its input. It simply notices, locally and reactively, that an input arrived when it was not ready, and leaves a trace that makes it recover faster. Over many such mismatches at the same phase, the recovery speeds up at that phase specifically — and the soma ends up aligned with its input rhythm **without ever representing that rhythm**. The alignment is an emergent statistical consequence of many local mismatch events, exactly as a potentiated synapse becomes tuned to its input without representing what it is tuned to. The phase-coupling appears, but nothing in the soma computed it. --- ### Depotentiation as Neglect — Not Explicit Now the crucial part you raised: the depotentiation of refractory alignment must occur as a **consequence of not potentiating**, not as an explicit opposing mechanism. The `refractory_alignment_trace` decays continuously. If mismatches keep happening at a particular phase, the trace is continuously replenished and the fast recovery is maintained. If mismatches stop happening — because the input rhythm changed, or because the alignment succeeded and inputs now arrive when the soma is ready — then the trace is no longer replenished and **decays back toward baseline on its own**. ``` // No explicit depotentiation — just decay when not reinforced refractory_alignment_trace *= decay(τ_alignment) // if mismatches continue → trace replenished → fast recovery maintained // if mismatches stop → trace decays → recovery returns to baseline ``` This is exactly parallel to synaptic depotentiation by neglect. The soma does not actively slow its recovery when alignment is no longer needed. It simply stops receiving the mismatch signal that was keeping the recovery fast, and the recovery drifts back to baseline because the trace that accelerated it is no longer reinforced. There is an elegant self-limiting property here. Once the soma is well-aligned, inputs arrive when it is ready, so there are no more mismatches, so the alignment trace stops being replenished and begins to decay. This would slowly de-align the soma — until inputs start arriving during refractory again, regenerating the mismatch and re-potentiating the alignment. The system settles into a dynamic equilibrium where just enough mismatch occurs to maintain just enough alignment. The soma hovers at the edge of alignment, continuously corrected by the residual mismatches that its imperfect alignment produces. --- ### The Full Bottom-Up Soma Timing ``` scope DAY | context AP: effective_threshold = soma_structure.baseline_threshold × (1 + soma_adaptation) × neuromod_factor(NE_level, ACh_level) can_fire = (soma_Na_inactivation < inactivation_threshold) if branch_Vm > effective_threshold and can_fire: AP_fired = True soma_budget -= AP_generation_cost // Deposit traces from the AP soma_Na_inactivation += AP_amplitude // fast — refractory soma_adaptation += AP_contribution // slow — spike train threshold soma_fast_trace += nuclear_Ca_influx() // slow — plasticity tagging scope DAY | context NOT_AP: // MISMATCH DETECTION — bottom-up alignment signal if branch_Vm > effective_threshold and soma_Na_inactivation > inactivation_threshold: // input wanted to fire but soma was refractory — missed coincidence refractory_alignment_trace += (branch_Vm - effective_threshold) × soma_Na_inactivation // local potentiation of recovery — no prediction, no rhythm model // Recovery biased by alignment trace recovery_rate = base_recovery_rate × (1 + refractory_alignment_trace) soma_Na_inactivation *= decay(τ_Na / recovery_rate) // faster if aligned soma_adaptation *= decay(τ_adaptation) soma_fast_trace *= decay(τ_nuclear) // Alignment trace decays — depotentiation by neglect, not explicit refractory_alignment_trace *= decay(τ_alignment) // maintained only while mismatches continue // self-limiting: good alignment → fewer mismatches → trace decays → // slight de-alignment → mismatches return → re-potentiation // ... budget replenishment, shipments, tagging as before ... ``` --- ### The Conceptual Payoff This makes the soma's temporal alignment obey exactly the same principles as everything else in the system: A behavior leaves a trace — here the missed coincidence leaves the alignment trace. The trace biases future behavior — here it accelerates recovery so the next input at that phase succeeds. Potentiation is the active drive — the soma actively speeds up recovery in response to mismatch. Depotentiation is neglect — the alignment trace decays when mismatches stop, with no explicit opposing process. The system finds equilibrium through the residual of its own imperfection — just enough mismatch persists to maintain just enough alignment. And critically, the soma achieves temporal prediction — firing in phase with its input rhythm — **without ever representing the rhythm**. The prediction is implicit in the structure of the recovery dynamics, built up from purely local, reactive, bottom-up trace deposits. This is the same way a potentiated synapse "predicts" that its input will be significant without representing the prediction: the prediction is the physical bias left by past experience, not a computed expectation. The soma's phase-coupling is the temporal version of the synapse's weight — both are implicit predictions encoded as physical bias, both built bottom-up from local coincidence, both maintained by reinforcement and lost by neglect.