We establish a preliminary model of neural signal generation and transmission based on our previous research, and use this model to study signal transmission on unmyelinated nerves. In our model, the characteristics of neural signals are studied both on a long-time and a short time scale. On the long-time scale, the model is consistent with the circuit model. On the short time scale, the neural system exhibits a THz and infrared electromagnetic oscillation but the energy envelope curve of the rapidly oscillating signal varies slowly. In addition, the numerical method is used to solve the equations of neural signal generation and transmission, and the effects of the temperature on signal transmission are studied. It is found that overly high and overly low temperatures are not conducive to the transmission of neural signals.
Dopamine
D2 receptors (D2Rs) are one of the most intensely investigated
and well-established drug targets for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Selective D2R antagonists have been developed as efficacious antipsychotic
drugs. Nevertheless, the potent drugs with necessarily high affinity
are prone to slow dissociation, which invokes a plethora of severe
side effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms, substantial weight gain,
associated diabetes, etc. This has become a major barrier in treating
psychiatric patients. In this work, we propose a physical method,
terahertz wave modulation, to promote the dissociation of high-affinity
antipsychotics and thus diminish the side effects. We have proven
that a 4.0 THz wave could reduce the affinity by 71% between the D2R
and a risperidone ligand and meanwhile expand the exit via conformation
modulation, which promises an accelerated dissociation of risperidone.
In addition, it is estimated that the enhancement of the dissociation
rate due to lowered binding by terahertz irritation could constitute
up to 8 orders of magnitude, which is fairly impressive and resembles
the enzyme’s catalysis. Also, acceleration of the dissociation
rate could be adjusted by the irritation strength. This work elaborates
the terahertz wave-modulated noncovalent interactions critical in
cell signaling pathways. Most importantly, it demonstrates the feasibility
of terahertz technologies intervening in receptor–ligand complex
regulated diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic
diseases, etc.
Based on our previous work, we study the problem of neural signal transmission of myelinated neurons. We found that the transmembrane ion current at Ranvier's node acts as an energy supplement. In addition, the length of the myelin sheath has an upper limit of l T . Above this upper limit, the neural signal will not be effectively transmitted. In the range of normal physiological parameters, l T is on the order of mm. Finally, the effect of temperature on the transmission of nerve signals is investigated. temperatures that are too high and too low are not conducive to the conduction of nerve signals.
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