Statistical field theory of the transmission of nerve impulses

Abstract

Background Stochastic processes leading voltage-gated ion channel dynamics on the nerve cell membrane are a sufficient condition to describe membrane conductance through statistical mechanics of disordered and complex systems.Results Voltage-gated ion channels in the nerve cell membrane are described by the Ising model. Stochastic circuital elements called ”Ising machines” are introduced. Action potentials are described as quasi-particles of a statistical field theory for the Ising system.Conclusions The particle description of action potentials is a new powerful tool to describe the generation and propagation of nerve impulses. We thus have the opportunity to exploit another useful point of view to describe the generation and propagation of nerve impulses, especially when classical electrophysiological models break down. Moreover, the particle description allows us to develop new hardware and software devices based on general and theoretical physics to study neurodegenerative and demyelinating diseases as Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, even integrated by connectomes. It is also suitable for the study of complex networks, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine and deep learning, cryptography, ultra-fast lines for entanglement experiments and many other applications of medical, physical and engineering interest.