scholarly journals New plasmon-polariton model of the saltatory conduction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Jacak

ABSTRACTWe propose a new model of the saltatory conduction in myelinated axons. This conduction of the action potential in myelinated axons does not agree with the conventional cable theory, though the latter has satisfactorily explained the electrosignaling in dendrites and in unmyelinated axons. By the development of the wave-type concept of ionic plasmon-polariton kinetics in axon cytosol we have achieved an agreement of the model with observed properties of the saltatory conduction. Some resulting consequences of the different electricity model in the white and the gray matter for nervous system organization have been also outlined.SIGNIFICANCEMost of axons in peripheral nervous system and in white matter of brain and spinal cord are myelinated with the action potential kinetics speed two orders greater than in dendrites and in unmyelinated axons. A decrease of the saltatory conduction velocity by only 10% ceases body functioning. Conventional cable theory, useful for dendrites and unmyelinated axon, does not explain the saltatory conduction (discrepancy between the speed assessed and the observed one is of one order of the magnitude). We propose a new nonlocal collective mechanism of ion density oscillations synchronized in the chain of myelinated segments of plasmon-polariton type, which is consistent with observations. This model explains the role of the myelin in other way than was previously thought.

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Ilias Kalafatakis ◽  
Maria Savvaki ◽  
Theodora Velona ◽  
Domna Karagogeos

Demyelinating pathologies comprise of a variety of conditions where either central or peripheral myelin is attacked, resulting in white matter lesions and neurodegeneration. Myelinated axons are organized into molecularly distinct domains, and this segregation is crucial for their proper function. These defined domains are differentially affected at the different stages of demyelination as well as at the lesion and perilesion sites. Among the main players in myelinated axon organization are proteins of the contactin (CNTN) group of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) of cell adhesion molecules, namely Contactin-1 and Contactin-2 (CNTN1, CNTN2). The two contactins perform their functions through intermolecular interactions, which are crucial for myelinated axon integrity and functionality. In this review, we focus on the implication of these two molecules as well as their interactors in demyelinating pathologies in humans. At first, we describe the organization and function of myelinated axons in the central (CNS) and the peripheral (PNS) nervous system, further analyzing the role of CNTN1 and CNTN2 as well as their interactors in myelination. In the last section, studies showing the correlation of the two contactins with demyelinating pathologies are reviewed, highlighting the importance of these recognition molecules in shaping the function of the nervous system in multiple ways.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail Pekker ◽  
Mikhail Shneider

A theoretical model of electrical synapses is proposed, in which connexons play the role of nails that hold unmyelinated areas of neurons at a distance of about 3.5 nm, and the electrical connection between them is provided by charging the membrane of an inactive neuron with currents generated in the intercellular electrolyte (saline) by the action potential in the active neuron. This mechanism is similar to the salutatory conduction of the action potential between the nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons and the ephaptic coupling of sufficiently close spaced neurons.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janusz Jacak ◽  
Witold Jacak

We address the field of soft plasmonics in finite electrolyte liquid systems ranged by insulating membranes by an analogy to the plasmonics of metallic nanostructures. The confined electrolyte systems can be encountered on a bio-cell organizational level, taking into account that the characteristics of ion plasmons fall to the micrometer size scale instead of the nanometer in metals because of at least three orders of magnitude larger masses of ions in comparison to electrons. The lower density of ions in electrolytes in comparison to density of electrons in metal may also reduce the energy of plasmons by several orders. We provide the fully analytical description of surface and volume plasmons in finite ionic micro-systems allowing for further applications. We next apply the theory of ionic plasmons to plasmon–polaritons in ionic periodic systems. The complete theory of ionic plasmon–polariton kinetics in the chain of micrometer-sized electrolyte spheres, confined by a dielectric membrane, is formulated and solved. The latter theory has next been applied to the explanation of a mysterious and unclear (for several dozen of years) problem of so-called saltatory conduction of the action potential in myelinated axons of nerve cells. Contrary to conventional models of nerve signaling, the plasmon–polariton model pretty well fits to the queer properties of the saltatory conduction. Moreover, the presented application of soft plasmonics to signaling in periodically myelinated axons may allow for identification of a different role in information processing of the white and gray matters in brain and spinal cord. We have outlined some perspectives to utilize the difference between the electricity of myelinated and non-myelinated nerve cells in brain to develop the topological concept of the memory functioning. The proposed ionic plasmon–polariton model of the saltatory conduction differently recognizes the role of the insulating myelin than previously was thought which may be helpful in the development of a better understanding of the demyelination diseases.


2011 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Arnold ◽  
ML Barcena de Arellano ◽  
C Rüster ◽  
A Schneider ◽  
S Mechsner

1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Storm ◽  
C. van Hardeveld ◽  
A. A. H. Kassenaar

Abstract. Basal plasma levels for adrenalin (A), noradrenalin (NA), l-triiodothyronine (T3), and l-thyroxine (T4) were determined in rats with a chronically inserted catheter. The experiments described in this report were started 3 days after the surgical procedure when T3 and T4 levels had returned to normal. Basal levels for the catecholamines were reached already 4 h after the operation. The T3/T4 ratio in plasma was significantly increased after 3, 7, and 14 days in rats kept at 4°C and the same holds for the iodide in the 24-h urine after 7 and 14 days at 4°C. The venous NA plasma concentration was increased 6- to 12-fold during the same period of exposure to cold, whereas the A concentration remained at the basal level. During infusion of NA at 23°C the T3/T4 ratio in plasma was significantly increased after 7 days compared to pair-fed controls, and the same holds for the iodide excretion in the 24-h urine. This paper presents further evidence for a role of the sympathetic nervous system on T4 metabolism in rats at resting conditions.


Author(s):  
D.A. Dubko ◽  
◽  
G.P. Smoliakova ◽  
O.I. Kashura ◽  
O.V. Mazurina ◽  
...  

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