Massed-Spaced Learning & Panpsychism
Bridging Cellular Memory with Theories of Consciousness
When we think of memory and learning, images of the human brain come to mind: a dense network of neurons firing in intricate patterns to encode experiences and retrieve them when needed. But what if the essence of memory extends beyond neurons? What if the underpinnings of cognitive processes reside in all living cells, or even deeper, in fundamental properties of matter itself? Recent research into memory-like behavior in non-neural cells1 adds a compelling layer to discussions that edge on the philosophical—particularly the hypothesis of panpsychism.
The Study
The groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications, looked at how the "massed-spaced learning effect" works in human cells that aren’t part of the brain. Scientists used special cell lines that were modified to produce a glowing protein (called luciferase) when activated by CREB, a protein that switches on certain genes in response to signals in the cell.
To mimic training, researchers applied repeated bursts of two chemicals, forskolin and phorbol ester, which trigger pathways linked to memory. The results were clear: four spaced-out bursts made the cells glow more strongly and for longer than a single, continuous burst. This stronger response also came with increased activity of two important molecules for memory, ERK and CREB. When either ERK or CREB was blocked, the advantage of spaced training disappeared, showing how crucial these molecules are for this effect.
Beyond Neurons
The implications of these findings are profound. Traditionally, we associate memory with neural circuits, where synaptic changes encode learning. This study, however, demonstrates that even non-neural cells—cells devoid of any complex neural structure—can exhibit a type of “memory” behavior. This expands our understanding of biological cognition and challenges the exclusivity of neural tissue in memory processes.
From an evolutionary perspective, the conservation of memory-related signaling pathways across cell types suggests that the ability to integrate and respond to information might be a universal cellular trait. This invites us to rethink what it means to “learn” and “remember,” and whether such abilities hint at a deeper, more intrinsic property shared by all cells—and potentially, by all matter.
Panpsychism: Bridging Science and Philosophy
Panpsychism is the hypothesis that consciousness is a fundamental feature of all matter. Unlike traditional views that confine consciousness to complex brains, panpsychism suggests that even the most basic forms of matter possess some form of proto-conscious experience. While this might sound far-fetched at first glance, recent research into cellular memory behaviors may lend subtle support to such philosophical ideas.
The Argument for Cellular “Cognition”
If non-neural cells can display memory-like behaviors, it implies that basic forms of information processing are not exclusive to nervous systems. The molecular signaling cascades involved—such as ERK and CREB activation—are not limited to neurons; they are ubiquitous across various cell types and play roles in adapting to environmental cues. This universal machinery raises intriguing questions: Are these processes purely mechanistic, or do they represent a more fundamental, albeit primitive, form of “experience”?
Proponents of panpsychism could argue that if complex consciousness emerges from the integration of simple information processing units, the presence of such processes in non-neural cells hints at a continuity of experience throughout biological systems. The cells’ ability to “remember” stimuli through biochemical pathways may be viewed as a basic building block of cognition—a notion that aligns with the idea that the underpinnings of consciousness are present, albeit in simpler forms, throughout all matter.
Is This Evidence for Panpsychism?
While this research adds to the discussion, it’s important to differentiate between empirical findings and philosophical extrapolations. The study itself shows that non-neural cells can integrate temporal patterns and exhibit sustained responses—hallmarks of memory—but it stops short of suggesting any form of subjective experience or consciousness in these cells.
However, the implications are suggestive. If we accept that memory and learning are not restricted to neural structures but are characteristics of cellular processes at large, then we must also consider whether these processes contribute to the larger tapestry of cognition. Panpsychists might argue that this study exemplifies how memory, a traditionally “higher-order” function, emerges from simpler, more universal cellular mechanisms.
This line of inquiry invites further questions. For instance, if non-neural cells demonstrate memory-like behavior, can simpler, non-living structures exhibit basic forms of information processing? At what point in the complexity gradient does the potential for consciousness emerge? Exploring these ideas requires crossing the boundaries between biology, cognitive science, and philosophy.
Further studies could examine whether similar memory-like processes exist in simpler life forms or even in synthetic models that replicate cellular signaling. Moreover, exploring how cellular responses to environmental stimuli might scale up to the collective behaviors of multicellular organisms could provide deeper insight into how consciousness might emerge from simpler systems.
The study of memory in non-neural cells bridges the gap between empirical science and philosophical speculation. It suggests that the mechanisms underlying memory are not confined to neurons but may be fundamental to life itself. While it’s a stretch to claim that this supports panpsychism outright, the findings resonate with its themes: that cognition, in some form, might be more widespread in the biological world than we imagine.
These insights invite us to approach the study of consciousness not solely as a phenomenon emerging in the brain, but as one potentially grounded in the fabric of biological and perhaps even physical reality itself—a shift that could pave the way for novel understandings of cognition, memory, and the nature of consciousness—expanding the boundaries of both science and philosophy.
Kukushkin, N.V., Carney, R.E., Tabassum, T. et al. The massed-spaced learning effect in non-neural human cells. Nat Commun 15, 9635 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53922-x
TL;DR: This study looked at how cells remember things over time, even when they aren't brain cells. Scientists used special human cells that glow when a certain part of their DNA (controlled by a protein called CREB, which helps with memory) is active. They found that giving the cells repeated breaks between treatments made them glow more and for longer compared to giving the treatment all at once. This pattern was linked to important proteins that help with memory. The effect was seen in different types of cells, showing that even non-brain cells can have memory-like reactions.