Complexity models in physiologic dynamics: a case study on acceleration (+Gz) induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC)

Complex physiologic systems in which the emergent global (observable) behavior results from the interplay among local processes cannot be studied effectively by conventional mathematical models. Such models, which may provide good linear or non-linear input-output data mapping, commonly offer no insight into the microscopic mechanisms underlying the macroscopic behavior. Concepts and tools emerging under the Complexity umbrella account for the interactions of the underlying processes and are therefore better suited to model complex physiologic systems. A model of the reticular activating system under metabolic threat is presented as an example of a physiologic model that duplicates human data and was constructed using some of the tenets of Complexity Theory.