The brain is a molecular computer. How the brain computes, and feels and learns and
remembers remain great mysteries. Neurobiologists have, however, identified some key
protein actors in the mechanisms of learning and memory. I will describe some theoretical
and computational efforts in understanding some of the molecular aspects of 1) Hebbian
learning through the regulatable assembly of the actin cytoskeleton in dendritic spines, 2)
the hypothesis that long-term memory involves a functional prion protein and 3) some
aspects of the physical chemistry of aggregation processes that are involved in the
pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
