The objective of this paper is to present a new theory of synaptic function in the nervous system. The basis for this theory is the experimental demonstration that a nerve impulse assumes five different forms as it advances through the synaptic region, and that five basic mathematical operations have been identified as being involved in the transformation of one form into another form. As a result of these data, the synaptic region is regarded as a functional unit where information coming to it is unpacked, processed, stored, and retrieved for transit to another synaptic region or effector site. The data also suggests that a nerve impulse is a bolus of energy, therefore, without substance; that it contains information coded in its shape or form; that it is precisely described mathematically. Furthermore, the data suggests synaptic regions process these nerve impulses by applying mathematical operations to them; that function in the synaptic region is highly stereotyped (programmed); that chemical substances are associated with the mathematical operations. The basic approach of this theory is to regard a significant portion of the nervous system as an 'interface' between the external universe and man himself. As an interface, the nervous system receives and processes information from both the external universe and man himself in a programmed manner. The interface functions by converting the information it receives into a bolus of energy, the nerve impulse, then processes the bolus by converting it into numbers or functions and applying mathematical operation to it.
Spontaneous impulses are discharged simultaneously and synchronously in pre-and post-ganglionic nerves of rat sympathetic ganglia infected with pseudo-rabies virus (Dempsher, Larrabee, Bang & Bodian, 1955). The virusinduced activity in the preganglionic nerve is antidromic (in a direction opposite to that occurring normally), whereas in the post-ganglionic nerve the activity is orthodromic or in the normal direction. In order to explain this derangement, the assumption was made that the activity had its origin in the preganglionic nerve endings and was produced by spontaneously released acetylcholine (ACh) acting upon the preganglionic nerve endings made superirritable by the virus infection (Dempsher & Riker, 1957). In support of this assumption were the following observations. Failure of virus-induced activity to develop in ganglia infected after preganglionic denervation, and the presence of spontaneous impulses in the preganglionic nerve in advanced infections whenever electrical stimulation failed to evoke a post-ganglionic response, supported the view that the site of origin (pace-maker) of the activity was located in the presynaptic nerve. Suppression of spontaneous impulses in the preganglionic nerve whenever that nerve was deprived of its endings, and suppression of activity occurring only in the post-ganglionic nerve by removal of calcium from the bathing solution, were interpreted to mean that the pace-maker was located in the presynaptic nerve endings. The simultaneous and synchronous increase in activity in both nerves produced by physostigmine, and the simultaneous and synchronous decrease in activity in both nerves whenever tubocurarine was applied, supported the view that the virus-induced activity was caused by ACh, and the site of action of ACh was the pace-maker located in the presynaptic nerve endings. In accord with this interpretation were the following observations. Applied ACh produced a simultaneous and synchronous increase in activity in both nerves, thus
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.