Brain Criticality Could Unlock Secrets to Learning and Alzheimer's

New research proposes that the brain operates optimally at a critical state between order and chaos, which is essential for learning and cognition. Disruption of this criticality, such as by tau protein buildup in Alzheimer's, impairs brain function, but sleep appears to restore it, offering potential for early diagnosis and intervention. The theory unifies physics and biology to better understand brain health and disease.