The Myelin Sheath Maintains the Spatiotemporal Fidelity of Action Potentials by Eliminating the Effect of Quantum Tunneling of Potassium Ions through the Closed Channels of the Neuronal Membrane

Abdallah Barjas Qaswal

doi:10.3390/quantum1020026

Abstract

The myelin sheath facilitates action potential conduction along the axons, however, the mechanism by which myelin maintains the spatiotemporal fidelity and limits the hyperexcitability among myelinated neurons requires further investigation. Therefore, in this study, the model of quantum tunneling of potassium ions through the closed channels is used to explore this function of myelin. According to the present calculations, when an unmyelinated neuron fires, there is a probability of 9.15 × 10 − 4 that it will induce an action potential in other unmyelinated neurons, and this probability varies according to the type of channels involved, the channels density in the axonal membrane, and the surface area available for tunneling. The myelin sheath forms a thick barrier that covers the potassium channels and prevents ions from tunneling through them to induce action potential. Hence, it confines the action potentials spatiotemporally and limits the hyperexcitability. On the other hand, lack of myelin, as in unmyelinated neurons or demyelinating diseases, exposes potassium channels to tunneling by potassium ions and induces the action potential. This approach gives different perspectives to look at the interaction between neurons and explains how quantum physics might play a role in the actions occurring in the nervous system.

Highlights

The myelin sheath is a fat-rich layer that surrounds the neurons
Further evidence of this is the association between the increased tendency for seizures, which is a form of hyperexcitability, and demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis
There are 1.37 × 106 potassium ions per 314 μm2 (4.36 × 103 ions/μm2) of neuronal membrane surface area, which will exit to the extracellular space during the action potential [19]

Summary

Introduction

The myelin sheath is a fat-rich layer that surrounds the neurons It acts as an insulator by decreasing the ion flow by about 5000-fold and enhances the velocity of action potential propagation along the axons. It was found that myelination is beneficial for increasing the velocity of electrical impulses but it is crucial for spatiotemporally confining action potentials and limiting the hyperexcitability among myelinated neurons, as in cortical pyramidal neurons [2]. Further evidence of this is the association between the increased tendency for seizures, which is a form of hyperexcitability, and demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. This approach depends on the principles of quantum physics, quantum tunneling, to be applied on ions

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