中国物理B ›› 2022, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (3): 38701-038701.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/ac1e1a

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Long range electromagnetic field nature of nerve signal propagation in myelinated axons

Qing-Wei Zhai(翟卿伟)1, Kelvin J A Ooi(黄健安)2,†, Sheng-Yong Xu(许胜勇)3,‡, and C K Ong(翁宗经)2,4   

  1. 1 School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia;
    2 Department of Physics, Xiamen University Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia;
    3 Department of Electronics, School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Peking University. Beijing 100871, China;
    4 Department of Physics, National University of Singapore,;
    2 Science Drive 3, 117551 Singapore
  • 收稿日期:2021-06-02 修回日期:2021-07-15 接受日期:2021-08-17 出版日期:2022-02-22 发布日期:2022-03-01
  • 通讯作者: Kelvin J A Ooi, Sheng-Yong Xu E-mail:kelvin.ooi@xmu.edu.my;xusy@pku.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    Project supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFA0701302) and the Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund, Malaysia (Grant No. XMUMRF/2020-C5/IMAT/0012).

Long range electromagnetic field nature of nerve signal propagation in myelinated axons

Qing-Wei Zhai(翟卿伟)1, Kelvin J A Ooi(黄健安)2,†, Sheng-Yong Xu(许胜勇)3,‡, and C K Ong(翁宗经)2,4   

  1. 1 School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia;
    2 Department of Physics, Xiamen University Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia;
    3 Department of Electronics, School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Peking University. Beijing 100871, China;
    4 Department of Physics, National University of Singapore,;
    2 Science Drive 3, 117551 Singapore
  • Received:2021-06-02 Revised:2021-07-15 Accepted:2021-08-17 Online:2022-02-22 Published:2022-03-01
  • Contact: Kelvin J A Ooi, Sheng-Yong Xu E-mail:kelvin.ooi@xmu.edu.my;xusy@pku.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Project supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFA0701302) and the Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund, Malaysia (Grant No. XMUMRF/2020-C5/IMAT/0012).

摘要: The nature of saltatory conduction in myelinated axon described by equivalent circuit and circuit theory is still contentious. Recent experimental observations of action potentials transmitting through disjointed nerve fibers strongly suggest an electromagnetic wave propagation mechanism of the nerve signals. In this paper, we employ the electromagnetic wave model of the myelinated axon to describe action potential signal propagation. We use the experimental frequency-dependent conductivity and permittivity values of the nerve tissues in order to reliably calculate the electromagnetic modes by using electromagnetic mode solvers. We find that the electromagnetic waves above 10 {kHz} can be well confined in extracellular fluid—myelin sheath—intracellular fluid waveguide and propagate a distance of 7 mm without much attenuation. Our study may serve as one of the fundamental researches for the better understanding of the nervous system.

关键词: action potential propagation and axons, neuronal wave propagation, neuroscience, electrodynamics in the nervous system

Abstract: The nature of saltatory conduction in myelinated axon described by equivalent circuit and circuit theory is still contentious. Recent experimental observations of action potentials transmitting through disjointed nerve fibers strongly suggest an electromagnetic wave propagation mechanism of the nerve signals. In this paper, we employ the electromagnetic wave model of the myelinated axon to describe action potential signal propagation. We use the experimental frequency-dependent conductivity and permittivity values of the nerve tissues in order to reliably calculate the electromagnetic modes by using electromagnetic mode solvers. We find that the electromagnetic waves above 10 {kHz} can be well confined in extracellular fluid—myelin sheath—intracellular fluid waveguide and propagate a distance of 7 mm without much attenuation. Our study may serve as one of the fundamental researches for the better understanding of the nervous system.

Key words: action potential propagation and axons, neuronal wave propagation, neuroscience, electrodynamics in the nervous system

中图分类号:  (Action potential propagation and axons)

  • 87.19.lb
87.19.lq (Neuronal wave propagation) 87.19.L- (Neuroscience) 87.19.ld (Electrodynamics in the nervous system)