What Was Observed? (Introduction)

• This research challenges the traditional view that only brain neurons are responsible for thought and learning.
• It shows that every cell in the body – including immune cells – plays a role in processing information and making decisions.
• The study argues that cognition is not confined to the brain but is a distributed process across multiple cellular systems.

Cells: The Fundamental Units of the Brain and Body

• Cells, whether they are neurons (nerve cells) or non-neuronal cells (like immune cells), form the basic building blocks of our body.
• Neurons are specialized for rapid communication, yet they represent just one type among billions of cells.
• Other cells also process information and contribute essential functions that keep the body working smoothly.
• Analogy: Imagine a factory where neurons are the fast messengers, while other cells are the support staff ensuring every process runs efficiently.

Cells as Smart Cognizers: A Continuum from Simple to Complex Minds

• Even simple organisms and individual cells show capabilities like sensing, memory, and learning.
• This suggests that basic cognitive functions exist at all levels of life, not just in complex brains.
• Metaphor: Just as a basic calculator handles simple math, single cells perform elementary information processing tasks.

How Neuronal and Immune Processing Work Together

• The brain is an integral part of the body, with its neurons interacting closely with immune cells.
• Immune cells, known for protecting against infections, also help regulate and communicate with brain cells.
• This cooperative interaction ensures the body can quickly adjust to stress, injury, or environmental changes.
• Analogy: Think of a sports team where the players (neurons) work in tandem with the support staff (immune cells) to achieve victory.

The Brain-Immune Network

• The brain and immune system are in constant communication rather than operating in isolation.
• Specialized immune cells in the brain, such as microglia, work alongside neurons to monitor and repair tissue.
• This network functions like a well-coordinated orchestra where every section plays its part to create harmony.
• Even under stress, these systems adjust their signals to maintain balance throughout the body.

Brain-Body Multiscale Distributed Cognition

• Cognition is not limited to a single system (the brain); it is spread across multiple scales – from single cells to entire organs.
• All cells contribute to decision-making, learning, and memory, forming a complex web of information processing.
• Analogy: Imagine a city where not only the central government (the brain) but every neighborhood and street (various cell types) plays a role in keeping the city running smoothly.

Key Conclusions and Future Prospects

• The study posits that cognitive processing is a property of all cells, not just those in the brain.
• This perspective encourages us to rethink how we approach health, disease, and development by considering the whole body’s contribution to cognition.
• Future research should explore how the integration of neural and immune processes shapes behavior and self-organization.
• This work challenges the traditional mind-body separation and opens new avenues for understanding complex biological systems.

观察到了什么？（引言）

• 这项研究挑战了传统观念，即只有大脑中的神经元才负责思考和学习。
• 研究表明，身体中的每个细胞——包括免疫细胞——都在信息处理和决策中发挥作用。
• 研究认为，认知并不局限于大脑，而是一个分布在多个细胞系统中的过程。

细胞：大脑和身体的基本单元

• 细胞，无论是神经元（神经细胞）还是非神经细胞（如免疫细胞），构成了我们身体的基础。
• 神经元专门用于快速传递信息，但它们只是数十亿细胞中的一种。
• 其他细胞同样能够处理信息，并对保持身体正常运作发挥关键作用。
• 比喻：可以把细胞想象成工厂中的工人，神经元是快速传递信息的工人，而其他细胞则像后勤支持人员，确保工厂各项流程高效运行。

细胞作为“聪明的认知者”：从简单到复杂的认知连续性

• 即使是简单的生物体和单个细胞也展示出感知、记忆和学习的能力。
• 这表明基本的认知功能不仅存在于复杂的大脑中，而是生命各个层面共有的特性。
• 比喻：就像一个简单的计算器可以完成基本的数学运算，单个细胞也能执行基础的信息处理任务。

神经处理与免疫处理如何协同工作

• 大脑是身体的一部分，其神经元与免疫细胞密切合作，共同维持健康并适应环境变化。
• 免疫细胞不仅用于防御感染，还帮助调节和与大脑细胞互通信息。
• 这种协同作用确保身体能够灵活应对压力、损伤或其他新挑战。
• 比喻：想象一支运动队，球员（神经元）与后勤支持人员（免疫细胞）通力合作，共同争取胜利。

大脑与免疫网络

• 大脑和免疫系统并非各自为战，而是不断进行信息交流。
• 大脑中的专门免疫细胞，如小胶质细胞，与神经元协同工作，监测并修复组织损伤。
• 这一网络就像一个协调良好的乐团，每个部分都在共同奏出和谐的旋律。
• 即使在身体处于压力之下，这些系统也会调整信号以保持整体平衡。

大脑-身体多尺度分布式认知

• 认知不仅限于单一系统（大脑），而是分布在从单个细胞到整个器官的多个层面上。
• 所有细胞都参与决策、学习和记忆，形成一个复杂的信息处理网络。
• 比喻：就像一个城市，不仅中央政府（大脑）在运作，每个社区和街道（不同的细胞类型）也都在维持城市正常运行中发挥作用。

主要结论与未来展望

• 研究认为，认知过程是所有细胞的属性，而不仅仅是大脑神经元的专利。
• 这一观点促使我们重新审视健康、疾病和发展的理解，从整体上考虑身体在认知中的作用。
• 未来的研究应探讨神经与免疫过程如何整合，共同塑造行为和自我组织。
• 这一研究挑战了传统的心身二分法，为理解复杂生物系统开辟了新的研究途径。