Expanding on the Tripartite Mechanism of Memory Buttressing with facts

Abstract Mind and body are of a complex unity. The psyche emerges from the physiologic reactions of neural circuits that transduce physical sensibilities into a mental realm. In a series of essays with many citations, we have proposed a biochemical basis for neural memory, as ``bite-size'' pieces of cognitive units of information (cuinfo). We described a tripartite mechanism of memory as the process for encoding, storing and decoding cuinfo by the neural circuit, involving the interactions of three physiologic compartments: · neurons - and associated cells (astrocytes, glia cells). These connect to one another by electrodynamic (synaptic) contacts as well as by chemodynamic (ephaptic) signaling modes. · nECM- neural extracellular matrix surrounding the neural cells, which serves as a static ``memory material''. · dopants - metal cations and neurotransmitters (NTs) as mobile effectors of the neural code. NTs are the molecular signifiers and encoders of emotive states. The tripartite mechanism is consonant with experimental observations (i.e. facts) as they relate to the connectivity and activities of neurons. We cite numerous experimental works which describe each of these compartments. This mechanism involves only materials available to neurons. Possibly, no collection of facts can serve as ``proof'', we merely ``connect the dots'' to establish a sensible rationale for the process of mentation. The tripartite mechanism can be considered as a fulcrum whose turnings reveal a critical facet of the emotive consciousness achieved by the neural net, which functions as the repository of emotive memory.