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Tipado Z, Kuypers KPC, Sorger B, Ramaekers JG. Visual hallucinations originating in the retinofugal pathway under clinical and psychedelic conditions. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 85:10-20. [PMID: 38648694 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelics like LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) and psilocybin are known to modulate perceptual modalities due to the activation of mostly serotonin receptors in specific cortical (e.g., visual cortex) and subcortical (e.g., thalamus) regions of the brain. In the visual domain, these psychedelic modulations often result in peculiar disturbances of viewed objects and light and sometimes even in hallucinations of non-existent environments, objects, and creatures. Although the underlying processes are poorly understood, research conducted over the past twenty years on the subjective experience of psychedelics details theories that attempt to explain these perceptual alterations due to a disruption of communication between cortical and subcortical regions. However, rare medical conditions in the visual system like Charles Bonnet syndrome that cause perceptual distortions may shed new light on the additional importance of the retinofugal pathway in psychedelic subjective experiences. Interneurons in the retina called amacrine cells could be the first site of visual psychedelic modulation and aid in disrupting the hierarchical structure of how humans perceive visual information. This paper presents an understanding of how the retinofugal pathway communicates and modulates visual information in psychedelic and clinical conditions. Therefore, we elucidate a new theory of psychedelic modulation in the retinofugal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeus Tipado
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
| | - Kim P C Kuypers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Bettina Sorger
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes G Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
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2
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Min Q, Gao Y, Wang Y. Bioelectricity in dental medicine: a narrative review. Biomed Eng Online 2024; 23:3. [PMID: 38172866 PMCID: PMC10765628 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-023-01189-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bioelectric signals, whether exogenous or endogenous, play crucial roles in the life processes of organisms. Recently, the significance of bioelectricity in the field of dentistry is steadily gaining greater attention. OBJECTIVE This narrative review aims to comprehensively outline the theory, physiological effects, and practical applications of bioelectricity in dental medicine and to offer insights into its potential future direction. It attempts to provide dental clinicians and researchers with an electrophysiological perspective to enhance their clinical practice or fundamental research endeavors. METHODS An online computer search for relevant literature was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library, with the keywords "bioelectricity, endogenous electric signal, electric stimulation, dental medicine." RESULTS Eventually, 288 documents were included for review. The variance in ion concentration between the interior and exterior of the cell membrane, referred to as transmembrane potential, forms the fundamental basis of bioelectricity. Transmembrane potential has been established as an essential regulator of intercellular communication, mechanotransduction, migration, proliferation, and immune responses. Thus, exogenous electric stimulation can significantly alter cellular action by affecting transmembrane potential. In the field of dental medicine, electric stimulation has proven useful for assessing pulp condition, locating root apices, improving the properties of dental biomaterials, expediting orthodontic tooth movement, facilitating implant osteointegration, addressing maxillofacial malignancies, and managing neuromuscular dysfunction. Furthermore, the reprogramming of bioelectric signals holds promise as a means to guide organism development and intervene in disease processes. Besides, the development of high-throughput electrophysiological tools will be imperative for identifying ion channel targets and precisely modulating bioelectricity in the future. CONCLUSIONS Bioelectricity has found application in various concepts of dental medicine but large-scale, standardized, randomized controlled clinical trials are still necessary in the future. In addition, the precise, repeatable and predictable measurement and modulation methods of bioelectric signal patterns are essential research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Min
- Department of Endodontics, Wuxi Stomatology Hospital, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Yajun Gao
- Department of Endodontics, Wuxi Stomatology Hospital, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Implantology, Wuxi Stomatology Hospital, Wuxi, 214000, China.
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3
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Igamberdiev AU, Gordon R. Macroevolution, differentiation trees, and the growth of coding systems. Biosystems 2023; 234:105044. [PMID: 37783374 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2023.105044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
An open process of evolution of multicellular organisms is based on the rearrangement and growth of the program of differentiation that underlies biological morphogenesis. The maintenance of the final (adult) stable non-equilibrium state (stasis) of a developmental system determines the direction of the evolutionary process. This state is achieved via the sequence of differentiation events representable as differentiation trees. A special type of morphogenetic code, acting as a metacode governing gene expression, may include electromechanical signals appearing as differentiation waves. The excessive energy due to the incorporation of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells resulted not only in more active metabolism but also in establishing the differentiation code for interconnecting cells and forming tissues, which fueled the evolutionary process. The "invention" of "continuing differentiation" distinguishes multicellular eukaryotes from other organisms. The Janus-faced control, involving both top-down control by differentiation waves and bottom-up control via the mechanical consequences of cell differentiations, underlies the process of morphogenesis and results in the achievement of functional stable final states. Duplications of branches of the differentiation tree may be the basis for continuing differentiation and macroevolution, analogous to gene duplication permitting divergence of genes. Metamorphoses, if they are proven to be fusions of disparate species, may be classified according to the topology of fusions of two differentiation trees. In the process of unfolding of morphogenetic structures, microevolution can be defined as changes of the differentiation tree that preserve topology of the tree, while macroevolution represents any change that alters the topology of the differentiation tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abir U Igamberdiev
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.
| | - Richard Gordon
- Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 222 Clark Drive, Panacea, FL, 32346, USA.
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Mould RR, Kalampouka I, Thomas EL, Guy GW, Nunn AVW, Bell JD. Non-chemical signalling between mitochondria. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1268075. [PMID: 37811497 PMCID: PMC10560087 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1268075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of studies have reported some form of non-chemical or non-aqueous communication between physically isolated organisms, eliciting changes in cellular proliferation, morphology, and/or metabolism. The sources and mechanisms of such signalling pathways are still unknown, but have been postulated to involve vibration, volatile transmission, or light through the phenomenon of ultraweak photon emission. Here, we report non-chemical communication between isolated mitochondria from MCF7 (cancer) and MCF10A (non-cancer) cell lines. We found that mitochondria in one cuvette stressed by an electron transport chain inhibitor, antimycin, alters the respiration of mitochondria in an adjacent, but chemically and physically separate cuvette, significantly decreasing the rate of oxygen consumption compared to a control (p = <0.0001 in MCF7 and MCF10A mitochondria). Moreover, the changes in O2-consumption were dependent on the origin of mitochondria (cancer vs. non-cancer) as well as the presence of "ambient" light. Our results support the existence of non-chemical signalling between isolated mitochondria. The experimental design suggests that the non-chemical communication is light-based, although further work is needed to fully elucidate its nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys R. Mould
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ifigeneia Kalampouka
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - E. Louise Thomas
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alistair V. W. Nunn
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
- The Guy Foundation, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | - Jimmy D. Bell
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Wang Z, Xu Z, Luo Y, Peng S, Song H, Li T, Zheng J, Liu N, Wu S, Zhang J, Zhang L, Hu Y, Liu Y, Lu D, Dai J, Zhang J. Reduced biophotonic activities and spectral blueshift in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia models with cognitive impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1208274. [PMID: 37727319 PMCID: PMC10505668 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1208274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although clinically, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are the two major types of dementia, it is unclear whether the biophotonic activities associated with cognitive impairments in these diseases share common pathological features. Methods We used the ultraweak biophoton imaging system (UBIS) and synaptosomes prepared by modified percoll method to directly evaluate the functional changes in synapses and neural circuits in AD and VaD model animals. Results We found that biophotonic activities induced by glutamate were significantly reduced and spectral blueshifted in synaptosomes and brain slices. These changes could be partially reversed by pre-perfusion of the ifenprodil, a specific antagonist of the GluN2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). Conclusion Our findings suggest that AD and VaD pathology present similar but complex changes in biophotonic activities and transmission at synapses and neural circuits, implying that communications and information processing of biophotonic signals in the brain are crucial for advanced cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science, Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China
- Medical Science Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhipeng Xu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sisi Peng
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Song
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxin Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Na Liu
- College of Life Science, Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shenjia Wu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junxia Zhang
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongwei Lu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiapei Dai
- College of Life Science, Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Cervetto C, Amaroli A, Amato S, Gatta E, Diaspro A, Maura G, Signore A, Benedicenti S, Marcoli M. Photons Induce Vesicular Exocytotic Release of Glutamate in a Power-Dependent Way. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10977. [PMID: 37446155 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that photobiomodulation, based on tissue irradiation with photons in the red to near-infrared spectrum, may be an effective therapeutic approach to central nervous system disorders. Although nervous system functionality has been shown to be affected by photons in animal models, as well as in preliminary evidence in healthy subjects or in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, the mechanisms involved in the photobiomodulation effects have not yet been clarified. We previously observed that photobiomodulation could stimulate glutamate release. Here, we investigate mechanisms potentially involved in the glutamate-releasing effect of photons from adult mouse cerebrocortical nerve terminals. We report evidence of photon ability to induce an exocytotic vesicular release of glutamate from the terminals of glutamatergic neurons in a power-dependent way. It can be hypothesized that photobiomodulation, depending on the potency, can release glutamate in a potentially neurotoxic or physiological range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Amaroli
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Sarah Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Gatta
- DIFILAB, Department of Physics, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Diaspro
- DIFILAB, Department of Physics, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy
- Nanoscopy, Nanophysics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia-IIT, Via Morego 30, 16133 Genova, Italy
- Biophysics Institute, National Research Council-CNR, Via de Marini, 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Signore
- Therapeutic Dentistry Department, Institute of Dentistry, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya Str. 8, b. 2, 119992 Moskow, Russia
| | - Stefano Benedicenti
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
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Vieira WF, Gersten M, Caldieraro MAK, Cassano P. Photobiomodulation for Major Depressive Disorder: Linking Transcranial Infrared Light, Biophotons and Oxidative Stress. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2023; 31:124-141. [PMID: 37171473 DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Incompletely treated major depressive disorder (MDD) poses an enormous global health burden. Conventional treatment for MDD consists of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, though a significant number of patients do not achieve remission with such treatments. Transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) is a promising novel therapy that uses extracranial light, especially in the near-infrared (NIR) and red spectra, for biological and therapeutic effects. The aims of this Review are to evaluate the current clinical and preclinical literature on t-PBM in MDD and to discuss candidate mechanisms for effects of t-PBM in MDD, with specific attention to biophotons and oxidative stress. A search on PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov identified clinical and preclinical studies using t-PBM for the treatment of MDD as a primary focus. After a systematic screening, only 19 studies containing original data were included in this review (9 clinical and 10 preclinical trials). Study results demonstrate consensus that t-PBM is a safe and potentially effective treatment; however, varying treatment parameters among studies complicate definitive conclusions about efficacy. Among other mechanisms of action, t-PBM stimulates the complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and induces an increase in cellular energy metabolism. We suggest that future trials include biological measures to better understand the mechanisms of action of t-PBM and to optimize treatment efficiency. Of particular interest going forward will be studying potential effects of t-PBM-an external light source on the NIR spectra-on neural circuitry implicated in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willians Fernando Vieira
- From Division of Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (Drs. Vieira, Gersten, Cassano); Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (Drs. Vieira, Cassano); Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil (Dr. Vieira); Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE) e Centro de Pesquisa Clínica (CPC), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil (Dr. Caldieraro); Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria e Medicina Legal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil (Dr. Caldieraro)
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8
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Liebert A, Capon W, Pang V, Vila D, Bicknell B, McLachlan C, Kiat H. Photophysical Mechanisms of Photobiomodulation Therapy as Precision Medicine. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020237. [PMID: 36830774 PMCID: PMC9953702 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite a significant focus on the photochemical and photoelectrical mechanisms underlying photobiomodulation (PBM), its complex functions are yet to be fully elucidated. To date, there has been limited attention to the photophysical aspects of PBM. One effect of photobiomodulation relates to the non-visual phototransduction pathway, which involves mechanotransduction and modulation to cytoskeletal structures, biophotonic signaling, and micro-oscillatory cellular interactions. Herein, we propose a number of mechanisms of PBM that do not depend on cytochrome c oxidase. These include the photophysical aspects of PBM and the interactions with biophotons and mechanotransductive processes. These hypotheses are contingent on the effect of light on ion channels and the cytoskeleton, the production of biophotons, and the properties of light and biological molecules. Specifically, the processes we review are supported by the resonant recognition model (RRM). This previous research demonstrated that protein micro-oscillations act as a signature of their function that can be activated by resonant wavelengths of light. We extend this work by exploring the local oscillatory interactions of proteins and light because they may affect global body circuits and could explain the observed effect of PBM on neuro-cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillations. In particular, since dysrhythmic gamma oscillations are associated with neurodegenerative diseases and pain syndromes, including migraine with aura and fibromyalgia, we suggest that transcranial PBM should target diseases where patients are affected by impaired neural oscillations and aberrant brain wave patterns. This review also highlights examples of disorders potentially treatable with precise wavelengths of light by mimicking protein activity in other tissues, such as the liver, with, for example, Crigler-Najjar syndrome and conditions involving the dysregulation of the cytoskeleton. PBM as a novel therapeutic modality may thus behave as "precision medicine" for the treatment of various neurological diseases and other morbidities. The perspectives presented herein offer a new understanding of the photophysical effects of PBM, which is important when considering the relevance of PBM therapy (PBMt) in clinical applications, including the treatment of diseases and the optimization of health outcomes and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Liebert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Adventist Hospital Group, Wahroonga 2076, Australia
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead 2145, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - William Capon
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Vincent Pang
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead 2145, Australia
| | - Damien Vila
- Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier-Nîmes, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Brian Bicknell
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead 2145, Australia
| | - Craig McLachlan
- Faculty of Health, Torrens University, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Hosen Kiat
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead 2145, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Torrens University, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- Cardiac Health Institute, Sydney 2121, Australia
- ANU College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park 2109, Australia
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Tan X, Gao M, Chang C. A new means of energy supply driven by terahertz photons recovers related neural activity. iScience 2023; 26:105979. [PMID: 36756372 PMCID: PMC9900506 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.105979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Continuous and efficient energy capture represents a long-sought dream of mankind. The brain is a major energy-consuming organ; an adult brain accounts for about 2% of the body weight but consumes about 20% of the body's energy. However, it is still unclear how the brain achieves efficient use of energy. Here, using nerve cells as test subjects, we found that THz photons with a specific frequency can effectively restore the reduced frequency of action potentials caused by inadequate ATP supply, which has been demonstrated as a novel mode of energy supply, present photons emission at a particular frequency from the breaking of the ATP phosphate bond. This energy supply mechanism may play a key biophysical basis for explaining how the body efficiently obtains energy, because the quantized chemical reactions could have a high energy efficiency and ultrahigh selectivity compared with the traditional thermochemistry and photochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Tan
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China,Astronaut Center of China, Beijing 100084, China,Corresponding author
| | - Mingxin Gao
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chao Chang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China,School of physics, Peking University, Beijing 100084, China,Corresponding author
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10
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Omidi M, Zibaii MI, Granpayeh N. Simulation of nerve fiber based on anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19356. [PMID: 36369256 PMCID: PMC9652394 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23580-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Light and optical techniques are widely used for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases as advanced methods. Understanding the optical properties of nervous tissue and nerve cells is vital. Using light sources in these methods raises significant challenges, such as finding the place of light transmission in nerve fibers that could be an appropriate substrate for neural signaling. The myelinated axons are a promising candidate for transmitting neural signals and light due to their waveguide structures. On the other hand, with the emergence of diseases such as multiple sclerosis and disorders within the production and transmission of nerve signals, because of the demyelination, understanding the properties of the myelinated axon as a waveguide is obtaining additional necessity. The present study aims to show that the myelinated axon's refractive index (RI) profile plays an essential role in transmitting the beams in it. According to the nerve fiber, RI profile and its similarity to depressed core fiber with lower RI of the core compared to the cladding, the behaviors of the nerve fiber based on anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide structure are investigated by taking into account the realistic optical imperfections. Light launching to the myelin sheath and axon is shown by introducing the axon and myelin sheath as a waveguide in the presence of both axon and myelin with bends, myelin sheath variation, and node of Ranvier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Omidi
- grid.411976.c0000 0004 0369 2065Center of Excellence in Electromagnetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ismail Zibaii
- grid.412502.00000 0001 0686 4748Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nosrat Granpayeh
- grid.411976.c0000 0004 0369 2065Center of Excellence in Electromagnetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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11
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A Transmissive Theory of Brain Function: Implications for Health, Disease, and Consciousness. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3030032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying a complete, accurate model of brain function would allow neuroscientists and clinicians to make powerful neuropsychological predictions and diagnoses as well as develop more effective treatments to mitigate or reverse neuropathology. The productive model of brain function, which has been dominant in the field for centuries, cannot easily accommodate some higher-order neural processes associated with consciousness and other neuropsychological phenomena. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly evident that the brain is highly receptive to and readily emits electromagnetic (EM) fields and light. Indeed, brain tissues can generate endogenous, complex EM fields and ultraweak photon emissions (UPEs) within the visible and near-visible EM spectra. EM-based neural mechanisms, such as ephaptic coupling and non-visual optical brain signaling, expand canonical neural signaling modalities and are beginning to disrupt conventional models of brain function. Here, we present an evidence-based argument for the existence of brain processes that are caused by the transmission of extracerebral, EM signals and recommend experimental strategies with which to test the hypothesis. We argue for a synthesis of productive and transmissive models of brain function and discuss implications for the study of consciousness, brain health, and disease.
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12
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Moro C, Valverde A, Dole M, Hoh Kam J, Hamilton C, Liebert A, Bicknell B, Benabid AL, Magistretti P, Mitrofanis J. The effect of photobiomodulation on the brain during wakefulness and sleep. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:942536. [PMID: 35968381 PMCID: PMC9366035 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.942536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last seventy years or so, many previous studies have shown that photobiomodulation, the use of red to near infrared light on body tissues, can improve central and peripheral neuronal function and survival in both health and in disease. These improvements are thought to arise principally from an impact of photobiomodulation on mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial mechanisms in a range of different cell types, including neurones. This impact has downstream effects on many stimulatory and protective genes. An often-neglected feature of nearly all of these improvements is that they have been induced during the state of wakefulness. Recent studies have shown that when applied during the state of sleep, photobiomodulation can also be of benefit, but in a different way, by improving the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and the clearance of toxic waste-products from the brain. In this review, we consider the potential differential effects of photobiomodulation dependent on the state of arousal. We speculate that the effects of photobiomodulation is on different cells and systems depending on whether it is applied during wakefulness or sleep, that it may follow a circadian rhythm. We speculate further that the arousal-dependent photobiomodulation effects are mediated principally through a biophoton – ultra-weak light emission – network of communication and repair across the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecile Moro
- FDD and CEA-LETI, Clinatec, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Audrey Valverde
- FDD and CEA-LETI, Clinatec, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Marjorie Dole
- FDD and CEA-LETI, Clinatec, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Jaimie Hoh Kam
- FDD and CEA-LETI, Clinatec, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Ann Liebert
- Governance and Research Department, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brian Bicknell
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Pierre Magistretti
- FDD and CEA-LETI, Clinatec, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - John Mitrofanis
- FDD and CEA-LETI, Clinatec, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: John Mitrofanis,
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13
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Zeng H, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Li S. Electromagnetic modeling and simulation of the biophoton propagation in myelinated axon waveguide. APPLIED OPTICS 2022; 61:4013-4021. [PMID: 36256074 DOI: 10.1364/ao.446845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biophotons in the nervous system are a potential carrier of neural signals. Previous experiments and studies indicated that biophotons are closely related to the neuronal activity and can propagate along myelinated axons. We establish a multilayer electromagnetic simulation model and demonstrate that the myelinated axon waveguide has low attenuation and low dispersion and operates in a narrow bandwidth on the order of 10 nm. We also find that the operating wavelength of the waveguide is almost linearly related to the axon diameter and the number of myelin layers. Each additional layer of the myelin sheath causes the operating wavelength of the myelinated axon waveguide to shift 52.3 nm to the long-wave direction, while an increase in the axon diameter of 1.0 µm causes the operating wavelength to shift 94.5 nm to the short-wave direction. These findings well explain the tendency of the spectral redshift among different species and the spectral blueshift during the aging process of mice. Via the analysis method in this paper, we can predict the wavelength of the propagating biophotons based on the neural structure.
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14
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Biophoton imaging identification of delayed functional neural circuit injury after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 367:109438. [PMID: 34896102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evaluation of structural changes after stroke has made great progress; however, it remains difficult to evaluate functional neural changes. NEW METHOD Here, we report a novel imaging technique that could monitor delayed functional neural circuit injury in an animal model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. The changes in 50 mM glutamate-induced biophotonic activities in functional neural circuits in rat brain slices after middle cerebral artery occlusion were investigated with an ultraweak biophoton imaging system. RESULTS Six hours after ischemia-reperfusion, the rats presented a significant decrease in motion ability together with a large part of the unstained 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) area in the ischemia-reperfusion side, whereas the intensity of the biophoton emissions was consistent on both the ischemia-reperfusion and non-ischemic sides of brain slices. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, the behavior evaluation and TTC staining recovered slightly, and the intensity of the biophoton emissions was weaker on the ischemia-reperfusion side than on the contralateral side. One week after reperfusion, the behavioral test and TTC staining recovered to normal levels; however, the intensity of the biophoton emissions was decreased significantly on both the ischemia-reperfusion and contralateral sides, and such changes were even distinguished in different brain areas, such as the sensory and motor coteries and striatum. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that delayed functional neural circuit injury induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion could be identified with biophoton imaging techniques, providing a novel functional evaluation method for animal models of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.
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15
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Liebert A, Pang V, Bicknell B, McLachlan C, Mitrofanis J, Kiat H. A Perspective on the Potential of Opsins as an Integral Mechanism of Photobiomodulation: It's Not Just the Eyes. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg 2022; 40:123-135. [PMID: 34935507 DOI: 10.1089/photob.2021.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the potential relationship between opsins and photobiomodulation. Background: Opsins and other photoreceptors occur in all phyla and are important in light-activated signaling and organism homeostasis. In addition to the visual opsin systems of the retina (OPN1 and OPN2), there are several non-visual opsins found throughout the body tissues, including encephalopsin/panopsin (OPN3), melanopsin (OPN4), and neuropsin (OPN5), as well as other structures that have light-sensitive properties, such as enzymes, ion channels, particularly those located in cell membranes, lysosomes, and neuronal structures such as the nodes of Ranvier. The influence of these structures on exposure to light, including self-generated light within the body (autofluorescence), on circadian oscillators, and circadian and ultradian rhythms have become increasingly reported. The visual and non-visual phototransduction cascade originating from opsins and other structures has potential significant mechanistic effects on tissues and health. Methods: A PubMed and Google Scholar search was made using the search terms "photobiomodulation", "light", "neuron", "opsins", "neuropsin", "melanopsin", "encephalopsin", "rhodopsin", and "chromophore". Results: This review was examined the influence of neuropsin (also known as kallikrein 8), encephalopsin, and melanopsin specifically on ion channel function, and more broadly on the central and peripheral nervous systems. The relationship between opsins 3, 4, and 5 and photobiomodulation mechanisms was evaluated, along with a proposed role of photobiomodulation through opsins and light-sensitive organelles as potential alleviators of symptoms and accelerators of beneficial regenerative processes. The potential clinical implications of this in musculoskeletal conditions, wounds, and in the symptomatic management of neurodegenerative disease was also examined. Conclusions: Systematic research into the pleotropic therapeutic role of photobiomodulation, mediated through its action on opsins and other light-sensitive organelles may assist in the future execution of safe, low-risk precision medicine for a variety of chronic and complex disease conditions, and for health maintenance in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Liebert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Office of Governance and Research, San Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Brian Bicknell
- Faculty of Health Science, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, Australia
| | | | - John Mitrofanis
- Clinatec, Fonds de Dotation-CEA, Universitè Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Hosen Kiat
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.,Cardiac Health Institute, Sydney, Australia
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16
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Salari V, Rodrigues S, Saglamyurek E, Simon C, Oblak D. Are Brain-Computer Interfaces Feasible With Integrated Photonic Chips? Front Neurosci 2022; 15:780344. [PMID: 35069099 PMCID: PMC8777191 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.780344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The present paper examines the viability of a radically novel idea for brain-computer interface (BCI), which could lead to novel technological, experimental, and clinical applications. BCIs are computer-based systems that enable either one-way or two-way communication between a living brain and an external machine. BCIs read-out brain signals and transduce them into task commands, which are performed by a machine. In closed loop, the machine can stimulate the brain with appropriate signals. In recent years, it has been shown that there is some ultraweak light emission from neurons within or close to the visible and near-infrared parts of the optical spectrum. Such ultraweak photon emission (UPE) reflects the cellular (and body) oxidative status, and compelling pieces of evidence are beginning to emerge that UPE may well play an informational role in neuronal functions. In fact, several experiments point to a direct correlation between UPE intensity and neural activity, oxidative reactions, EEG activity, cerebral blood flow, cerebral energy metabolism, and release of glutamate. Therefore, we propose a novel skull implant BCI that uses UPE. We suggest that a photonic integrated chip installed on the interior surface of the skull may enable a new form of extraction of the relevant features from the UPE signals. In the current technology landscape, photonic technologies are advancing rapidly and poised to overtake many electrical technologies, due to their unique advantages, such as miniaturization, high speed, low thermal effects, and large integration capacity that allow for high yield, volume manufacturing, and lower cost. For our proposed BCI, we are making some very major conjectures, which need to be experimentally verified, and therefore we discuss the controversial parts, feasibility of technology and limitations, and potential impact of this envisaged technology if successfully implemented in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Salari
- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM), Bilbao, Spain
- Quantum Biology Laboratory, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Erhan Saglamyurek
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel Oblak
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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17
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Marcoli M, Agnati LF, Franco R, Cortelli P, Anderlini D, Guidolin D, Cervetto C, Maura G. Modulating brain integrative actions as a new perspective on pharmacological approaches to neuropsychiatric diseases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1038874. [PMID: 36699033 PMCID: PMC9868467 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1038874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A critical aspect of drug development in the therapy of neuropsychiatric diseases is the "Target Problem", that is, the selection of a proper target after not simply the etiopathological classification but rather the detection of the supposed structural and/or functional alterations in the brain networks. There are novel ways of approaching the development of drugs capable of overcoming or at least reducing the deficits without triggering deleterious side effects. For this purpose, a model of brain network organization is needed, and the main aspects of its integrative actions must also be established. Thus, to this aim we here propose an updated model of the brain as a hyper-network in which i) the penta-partite synapses are suggested as key nodes of the brain hyper-network and ii) interacting cell surface receptors appear as both decoders of signals arriving to the network and targets of central nervous system diseases. The integrative actions of the brain networks follow the "Russian Doll organization" including the micro (i.e., synaptic) and nano (i.e., molecular) levels. In this scenario, integrative actions result primarily from protein-protein interactions. Importantly, the macromolecular complexes arising from these interactions often have novel structural binding sites of allosteric nature. Taking G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as potential targets, GPCRs heteromers offer a way to increase the selectivity of pharmacological treatments if proper allosteric drugs are designed. This assumption is founded on the possible selectivity of allosteric interventions on G protein-coupled receptors especially when organized as "Receptor Mosaics" at penta-partite synapse level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Pisa, Italy
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Manuela Marcoli, ; Luigi F. Agnati,
| | - Luigi F. Agnati
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- *Correspondence: Manuela Marcoli, ; Luigi F. Agnati,
| | - Rafael Franco
- CiberNed Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Neurobiology laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine. Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Chemistry, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pietro Cortelli
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Deanna Anderlini
- Centre for Sensorimotor Performance, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Pisa, Italy
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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18
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Moro C, Liebert A, Hamilton C, Pasqual N, Jeffery G, Stone J, Mitrofanis J. The code of light: do neurons generate light to communicate and repair? Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:1251-1252. [PMID: 34782559 PMCID: PMC8643059 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.327332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cecile Moro
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, Clinatec, Grenoble, France
| | - Ann Liebert
- Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Glen Jeffery
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Stone
- Department of Physiology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - John Mitrofanis
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, Clinatec, Grenoble, France; Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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19
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Bajic V, Misic N, Stankovic I, Zaric B, Perry G. Alzheimer's and Consciousness: How Much Subjectivity Is Objective? Neurosci Insights 2021; 16:26331055211033869. [PMID: 34350401 PMCID: PMC8295942 DOI: 10.1177/26331055211033869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Does Alzheimer Disease show a decline in cognitive functions that relate to the awareness of external reality? In this paper, we will propose a perspective that patients with increasing symptoms of AD show a change in the awareness of subjective versus objective representative axis of reality thus consequently move to a more internal like perception of reality. This paradigm shift suggests that new insights into the dynamicity of the conscious representation of reality in the AD brain may give us new clues to the very early signs of memory and self-awareness impairment that originates from, in our view the microtubules. Dialog between Adso and William, in Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, Third Day: Vespers. "But how does it happen," I said with admiration, "that you were able to solve the mystery of the library looking at it from the outside, and you were unable to solve it when you were inside?" "Thus, God knows the world, because He conceived it in His mind, as if it was from the outside, before it was created, and we do not know its rule, because we live inside it, having found it already made."
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Bajic
- Department of Radiobiology and
Molecular Genetics, Vinca Institute, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Ivana Stankovic
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and
Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bozidarka Zaric
- Department of Radiobiology and
Molecular Genetics, Vinca Institute, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - George Perry
- Department of Biology, The University
of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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20
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Matos LC, Machado JP, Monteiro FJ, Greten HJ. Perspectives, Measurability and Effects of Non-Contact Biofield-Based Practices: A Narrative Review of Quantitative Research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6397. [PMID: 34199174 PMCID: PMC8296239 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Practices such as "Reiki", therapeutic touch, healing touch, and external "Qigong" have been regarded as some form of "energy medicine" or "biofield therapy". The biofield concept has been studied and debated by researchers of distinct areas of expertise, and although the phenomenon was sometimes described as physically related to electromagnetics, other factors such as "subtle energy" and focused intention might be involved. These nonconventional practices integrate contact and non-contact techniques, and those dealing with so-called distant healing interventions are perhaps the most difficult to understand and accept. Practitioners describe these so-called nonlocal interventions as involving intentional factors and particular states of consciousness. With a spiritual mindset and a particular state of awareness, compassion is said to work out as a catalyst to produce physiological and physical changes through mechanisms that are still unknown. At the body level, these vegetative changes might be related to individual self-perception variations as part of the body neurovegetative feedback system of regulation. Further mechanisms are difficult to document and measure, and might be more accessible to research by using physical signal detectors, chemical dynamics methods, detectors using biological materials, detectors using living sensors, and detectors using the human body. The growing interest in these practices and the considerable amount of research exploring their effects and clinical applications encouraged this narrative review, which aims to provide an easy to consult partial overview of the history, theory and findings of quantitative research strategies exploring non-contact biofield-based practices. This work also aims to stimulate the reader's mind with the raised hypotheses, catalyzing further research on the subject to confirm or deny the reported outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Carlos Matos
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa (CBSIn), Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal;
- Centro Transdisciplinar de Estudos da Consciência (CTEC), Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Pereira Machado
- Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa (CBSIn), Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal;
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Fernando Jorge Monteiro
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Henry Johannes Greten
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- German Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
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21
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Biophotons and Emergence of Quantum Coherence-A Diffusion Entropy Analysis. ENTROPY 2021; 23:e23050554. [PMID: 33947077 PMCID: PMC8146849 DOI: 10.3390/e23050554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We study the emission of photons from germinating seeds using an experimental technique designed to detect light of extremely small intensity. We analyze the dark count signal without germinating seeds as well as the photon emission during the germination process. The technique of analysis adopted here, called diffusion entropy analysis (DEA) and originally designed to measure the temporal complexity of astrophysical, sociological and physiological processes, rests on Kolmogorov complexity. The updated version of DEA used in this paper is designed to determine if the signal complexity is generated either by non-ergodic crucial events with a non-stationary correlation function or by the infinite memory of a stationary but non-integrable correlation function or by a mixture of both processes. We find that dark count yields the ordinary scaling, thereby showing that no complexity of either kinds may occur without any seeds in the chamber. In the presence of seeds in the chamber anomalous scaling emerges, reminiscent of that found in neuro-physiological processes. However, this is a mixture of both processes and with the progress of germination the non-ergodic component tends to vanish and complexity becomes dominated by the stationary infinite memory. We illustrate some conjectures ranging from stress induced annihilation of crucial events to the emergence of quantum coherence.
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22
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Han Z, Chai W, Wang Z, Xiao F, Dai J. Quantum energy levels of glutamate modulate neural biophotonic signals. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2021; 20:343-356. [PMID: 33721274 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-021-00022-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and it plays an essential and important role in neural functions. Current studies have shown that glutamate can induce neural biophotonic activity and transmission, which may involve the mechanism of photon quantum brain; however, it is unclear whether such a mechanism follows the principle of quantum mechanics. Here we show that the action of glutamate on its receptors leads to a decrease in its quantum energy levels, and glutamate then partially or completely loses its function to further induce the biophotonic activity in mouse brain slices. The reduced quantum energy levels of glutamate can be restored by direct-current electrical discharges and the use of energy transfer of chloroplast photosynthesis; hence, the quantum energy recovered glutamate can again induce significant biophotonic activity. Furthermore, the changes in quantum energy levels of glutamate are related to the exchange and transfer of electron energy on its active hydrogen atom. These findings suggest that the glutamate-induced neural biophotonic signals may be involved in the transfer of the quantum energy levels of glutamate, which implies a quantum mechanism of neurotransmitter action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengrong Han
- Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (WINN), South-Central University for Nationalities, Minzu Dadao 182, Wuhan, 430074, China.,Department of Neurobiology, College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Weitai Chai
- Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (WINN), South-Central University for Nationalities, Minzu Dadao 182, Wuhan, 430074, China.,Department of Neurobiology, College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (WINN), South-Central University for Nationalities, Minzu Dadao 182, Wuhan, 430074, China.,Department of Neurobiology, College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Fangyan Xiao
- Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (WINN), South-Central University for Nationalities, Minzu Dadao 182, Wuhan, 430074, China.,Department of Neurobiology, College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jiapei Dai
- Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (WINN), South-Central University for Nationalities, Minzu Dadao 182, Wuhan, 430074, China. .,Department of Neurobiology, College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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23
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Zangari A, Micheli D, Galeazzi R, Tozzi A, Balzano V, Bellavia G, Caristo ME. Photons detected in the active nerve by photographic technique. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3022. [PMID: 33542392 PMCID: PMC7862265 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82622-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The nervous system is one of the most complex expressions of biological evolution. Its high performance mostly relies on the basic principle of the action potential, a sequential activation of local ionic currents along the neural fiber. The implications of this essentially electrical phenomenon subsequently emerged in a more comprehensive electromagnetic perspective of neurotransmission. Several studies focused on the possible role of photons in neural communication and provided evidence of the transfer of photons through myelinated axons. A hypothesis is that myelin sheath would behave as an optical waveguide, although the source of photons is controversial. In a previous work, we proposed a model describing how photons would arise at the node of Ranvier. In this study we experimentally detected photons in the node of Ranvier by Ag+ photoreduction measurement technique, during electrically induced nerve activity. Our results suggest that in association to the action potential a photonic radiation takes place in the node.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Zangari
- Pediatric Surgery and Urology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Micheli
- Wireless Access Engineering Department, TIM S.P.A., Via Oriolo Romano, 240, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Galeazzi
- Departement of Life and Environmental Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Antonio Tozzi
- UOC Fisica Sanitaria, Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est, via Senese 161, 58100, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Vittoria Balzano
- UOC Anatomy and Pathological Histology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Emiliana Caristo
- Centro Ricerche Sperimentali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
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24
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Bereta M, Teplan M, Chafai DE, Radil R, Cifra M. Biological autoluminescence as a noninvasive monitoring tool for chemical and physical modulation of oxidation in yeast cell culture. Sci Rep 2021; 11:328. [PMID: 33431983 PMCID: PMC7801494 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79668-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal or excessive oxidative metabolism in organisms is essential in physiological and pathophysiological processes, respectively. Therefore, monitoring of biological oxidative processes induced by the chemical or physical stimuli is nowadays of extreme importance due to the environment overloaded with various physicochemical factors. Current techniques typically require the addition of chemical labels or light illumination, which perturb the samples to be analyzed. Moreover, the current techniques are very demanding in terms of sample preparation and equipment. To alleviate these limitations, we propose a label-free monitoring tool of oxidation based on biological autoluminescence (BAL). We demonstrate this tool on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell culture. We showed that BAL can be used to monitor chemical perturbation of yeast due to Fenton reagents initiated oxidation-the BAL intensity changes with hydrogen peroxide concentration in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we also showed that BAL reflects the effects of low-frequency magnetic field on the yeast cell culture, where we observed a disturbance of the BAL kinetics in the exposed vs. control case. Our results contribute to the development of novel techniques for label-free, real-time, noninvasive monitoring of oxidative processes and approaches for their modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bereta
- Institute of Measurement Science of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Health, Catholic University in Ruzomberok, Ruzomberok, Slovakia
| | - Michal Teplan
- Institute of Measurement Science of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Djamel Eddine Chafai
- Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Roman Radil
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Zilina, Zilina, Slovakia
| | - Michal Cifra
- Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia.
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Xiang Z, Tang C, Chang C, Liu G. A primary model of THz and far-infrared signal generation and conduction in neuron systems based on the hypothesis of the ordered phase of water molecules on the neuron surface I: signal characteristics. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2020; 65:308-317. [PMID: 36659096 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we use the theory of quantum optics and electrodynamics to study the electromagnetic field problem in the nervous system based on the assumption of an ordered arrangement of water molecules on the neuronal surface. Using the Lagrangian of the water molecule-field ion, the dynamic equations for neural signal generation and transmission are derived. Perturbation theory and the numerical method are used to solve the dynamic equations, and the characteristics of high-frequency signals (the dispersion relation, the time domain of the field, the frequency domain waveform, etc.) are discussed. This model predicts some intrinsic vibration modes of electromagnetic radiation on the neuronal surface. The frequency range of these vibration modes is in the THz and far-infrared ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoxian Xiang
- Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chuanxiang Tang
- Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chao Chang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Guozhi Liu
- Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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An Experimental Investigation of Ultraweak Photon Emission from Adult Murine Neural Stem Cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:463. [PMID: 31949217 PMCID: PMC6965084 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57352-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons like other living cells may have ultraweak photon emission (UPE) during neuronal activity. This study is aimed to evaluate UPE from neural stem cells (NSC) during their serial passaging and differentiation. We also investigate whether the addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or enhancement of UPE (by AgNPs or mirror) affect the differentiation of NSC. In our method, neural stem and progenitor cells of subventricular zone (SVZ) are isolated and expanded using the neurosphere assay. The obtained dissociated cells allocated and cultivated into three groups: groups: I: cell (control), II: cell + mirror, and III: cell + AgNPs. After seven days, the primary neurospheres were counted and their mean number was obtained. Serial passages continuous up to sixth passages in the control group. Differentiation capacity of the resulting neurospheres were evaluated in vitro by immunocytochemistry techniques. Measurement of UPE was carried out by photomultiplier tube (PMT) in the following steps: at the end of primary culture, six serial cell passages of the control group, before and after of the differentiation for 5 minutes. The results show that neither mirror nor AgNPs affect on the neurosphere number. The UPE of the NSC in the sixth subculturing passage was significantly higher than in the primary passage (P < 0.05). AgNPs significantly increased the UPE of the NSC compared to the control group before and after the differentiation (P < 0.05). Also, the treatment with AgNPs increased 44% neuronal differentiation of the harvested NSCs. UPE of NSC after the differentiation was significantly lower than that before the differentiation in each groups, which is in appropriate to the cell numbers (P < 0.0001). The mirror did not significantly increase UPE, neither before nor after the differentiation of NSC. As a conclusion, NSC have UPE-properties and the intensity is increased by serial passaging that are significant in the sixth passage. The AgNPs increases the UPE intensity of NSC that pushes more differentiation of NSC to the neurons. The mirror was not effective in enhancement of UPE. As a result, UPE measurement may be suitable for assessing and studying the effects of nanoparticles in living cells and neurons.
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Schiffer F. The physical nature of subjective experience and its interaction with the brain. Med Hypotheses 2019; 125:57-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Bordoni B, Marelli F, Morabito B, Sacconi B. Emission of Biophotons and Adjustable Sounds by the Fascial System: Review and Reflections for Manual Therapy. J Evid Based Integr Med 2019; 23:2515690X17750750. [PMID: 29405763 PMCID: PMC5871034 DOI: 10.1177/2515690x17750750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Every body structure is wrapped in connective tissue or fascia, creating a structural continuity that gives form and function to every tissue and organ. The fascial tissue is uniformly distributed throughout the body, enveloping, interacting with and permeating blood vessels, nerves, viscera, meninges, bones and muscles, creating various layers at different depths and forming a tridimensional metabolic and mechanical matrix. This article reviews the literature on the emission of biophotons and adjustable sounds by the fascial system, because these biological changes could be a means of local and systemic cellular communication and become another assessment tool for manual (therapy) practitioners. This is the first article that discusses these topics in a single text, attempting to bring such information into an area of application that is beneficial to osteopaths, chiropractors, and manual therapists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabiola Marelli
- 2 CRESO, School of Osteopathic Centre for Research and Studies, Gorla Minore (VA), Italy.,3 CRESO, School of Osteopathic Centre for Research and Studies, Fano (Pesaro Urbino), Italy
| | - Bruno Morabito
- 2 CRESO, School of Osteopathic Centre for Research and Studies, Gorla Minore (VA), Italy.,3 CRESO, School of Osteopathic Centre for Research and Studies, Fano (Pesaro Urbino), Italy.,4 Foundation Polyclinic University A. Gemelli University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Igamberdiev AU. Hyper-restorative non-equilibrium state as a driving force of biological morphogenesis. Biosystems 2018; 173:104-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2018.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Amaroli A, Marcoli M, Venturini A, Passalacqua M, Agnati LF, Signore A, Raffetto M, Maura G, Benedicenti S, Cervetto C. Near-infrared laser photons induce glutamate release from cerebrocortical nerve terminals. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2018; 11:e201800102. [PMID: 29931754 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201800102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although photons have been repeatedly shown to affect the functioning of the nervous system, their effects on neurotransmitter release have never been investigated. We exploited in vitro models that allow effects involving neuron-astrocyte network functioning to be detected (mouse cerebrocortical slices) and dissected these effects at cerebrocortical nerve endings and astrocyte processes. Infrared light proved able to induce glutamate release by stimulating glutamatergic nerve endings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Amaroli
- Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Mario Passalacqua
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi F Agnati
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonio Signore
- Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Mirco Raffetto
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Benedicenti
- Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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Tonello L, Gashi B, Scuotto A, Cappello G, Cocchi M, Gabrielli F, Tuszynski JA. The gastrointestinal-brain axis in humans as an evolutionary advance of the root-leaf axis in plants: A hypothesis linking quantum effects of light on serotonin and auxin. J Integr Neurosci 2018. [DOI: 10.3233/jin-170048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bekim Gashi
- Department of Biology, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtina, 10000, Kosovo
| | | | | | | | | | - Jack A. Tuszynski
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2J1, Canada
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Zangari A, Micheli D, Galeazzi R, Tozzi A. Node of Ranvier as an Array of Bio-Nanoantennas for Infrared Communication in Nerve Tissue. Sci Rep 2018; 8:539. [PMID: 29323217 PMCID: PMC5764955 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18866-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Electromagnetic radiation, in the visible and infrared spectrum, is increasingly being investigated for its possible role in the most evolved brain capabilities. Beside experimental evidence of electromagnetic cellular interactions, the possibility of light propagation in the axon has been recently demonstrated using computational modelling, although an explanation of its source is still not completely understood. We studied electromagnetic radiation onset and propagation at optical frequencies in myelinated axons, under the assumption that ion channel currents in the node of Ranvier behave like an array of nanoantennas emitting in the wavelength range from 300 to 2500 nm. Our results suggest that the wavelengths below 1600 nm are most likely to propagate throughout myelinated segments. Therefore, a broad wavelength window exists where both generation and propagation could happen, which in turn raises the possibility that such a radiation may play some role in neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Zangari
- Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Pediatric Surgery and Urology Unit, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87-00152, Roma, Italy
| | - Davide Micheli
- TIM S.P.A., Wireless Access Engineering Department, Viale Parco de' Medici, 61 - 00148, Roma, Italy.
| | - Roberta Galeazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonio Tozzi
- UOC Fisica Sanitaria, Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est, via Senese 161, 58100, Grosseto, Italy
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Császár N, Scholkmann F, Salari V, Szőke H, Bókkon I. Phosphene perception is due to the ultra-weak photon emission produced in various parts of the visual system: glutamate in the focus. Rev Neurosci 2018; 27:291-9. [PMID: 26544101 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2015-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Phosphenes are experienced sensations of light, when there is no light causing them. The physiological processes underlying this phenomenon are still not well understood. Previously, we proposed a novel biopsychophysical approach concerning the cause of phosphenes based on the assumption that cellular endogenous ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is the biophysical cause leading to the sensation of phosphenes. Briefly summarized, the visual sensation of light (phosphenes) is likely to be due to the inherent perception of UPE of cells in the visual system. If the intensity of spontaneous or induced photon emission of cells in the visual system exceeds a distinct threshold, it is hypothesized that it can become a conscious light sensation. Discussing several new and previous experiments, we point out that the UPE theory of phosphenes should be really considered as a scientifically appropriate and provable mechanism to explain the physiological basis of phosphenes. In the present paper, we also present our idea that some experiments may support that the cortical phosphene lights are due to the glutamate-related excess UPE in the occipital cortex.
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Bókkon I, Scholkmann F, Salari V, Császár N, Kapócs G. Endogenous spontaneous ultraweak photon emission in the formation of eye-specific retinogeniculate projections before birth. Rev Neurosci 2018; 27:411-9. [PMID: 26656799 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2015-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In 1963, it was suggested [Sperry, R.W. (1963). Chemoaffinity in the orderly growth of nerve fiber patterns and connections. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 50, 703-710.] that molecular cues can direct the development of orderly connections between the eye and the brain (the "chemoaffinity hypothesis"). In the same year, the amazing degree of functional accuracy of the visual pathway in the absence of any external light/photon perception prior to birth [Wiesel, T.N and Hubel, D.H. (1963). Single-cell responses in striate cortex of kittens deprived of vision in one eye. J. Neurophysiol. 26, 1003-1017.] was discovered. These recognitions revealed that the wiring of the visual system relies on innate cues. However, how the eye-specific retinogeniculate pathway can be developed before birth without any visual experience is still an unresolved issue. In the present paper, we suggest that Müller cells (functioning as optical fibers), Müller cell cone (i.e. the inner half of the foveola that is created of an inverted cone-shaped zone of Müller cells), discrete retinal noise of rods, and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells might have key functions by means of retinal spontaneous ultraweak photon emission in the development of eye-specific retinogeniculate pathways prior to birth.
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Mothersill C, Smith R, Wang J, Rusin A, Fernandez-Palomo C, Fazzari J, Seymour C. Biological Entanglement-Like Effect After Communication of Fish Prior to X-Ray Exposure. Dose Response 2018; 16:1559325817750067. [PMID: 29479295 PMCID: PMC5818098 DOI: 10.1177/1559325817750067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenomenon by which irradiated organisms including cells in vitro communicate with unirradiated neighbors is well established in biology as the radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE). Generally, the purpose of this communication is thought to be protective and adaptive, reflecting a highly conserved evolutionary mechanism enabling rapid adjustment to stressors in the environment. Stressors known to induce the effect were recently shown to include chemicals and even pathological agents. The mechanism is unknown but our group has evidence that physical signals such as biophotons acting on cellular photoreceptors may be implicated. This raises the question of whether quantum biological processes may occur as have been demonstrated in plant photosynthesis. To test this hypothesis, we decided to see whether any form of entanglement was operational in the system. Fish from 2 completely separate locations were allowed to meet for 2 hours either before or after which fish from 1 location only (group A fish) were irradiated. The results confirm RIBE signal production in both skin and gill of fish, meeting both before and after irradiation of group A fish. The proteomic analysis revealed that direct irradiation resulted in pro-tumorigenic proteomic responses in rainbow trout. However, communication from these irradiated fish, both before and after they had been exposed to a 0.5 Gy X-ray dose, resulted in largely beneficial proteomic responses in completely nonirradiated trout. The results suggest that some form of anticipation of a stressor may occur leading to a preconditioning effect or temporally displaced awareness after the fish become entangled.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jiaxi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry Facility, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Salari V, Scholkmann F, Vimal RLP, Császár N, Aslani M, Bókkon I. Phosphenes, retinal discrete dark noise, negative afterimages and retinogeniculate projections: A new explanatory framework based on endogenous ocular luminescence. Prog Retin Eye Res 2017; 60:101-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Meiling D, Chao Z, Jinhong L. Coherence and polarization properties of laser propagating through biological tissues. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2017; 172:88-94. [PMID: 28531795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle, the analytical expressions of the cross-spectral density matrix elements for random electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beam propagating in biological tissues are derived, and used to study the changes in spectral degree of coherence μ and spectral degree of polarization P of random electromagnetic GSM beams with the propagation distance z propagating through the different biological tissues. It is shown that the changes closely depend on the species of the biological tissues, beam wave length, the interval between two field points and propagation distance. The spectral degree of coherence μ and the spectral degree of polarization P of the ultraviolet ray (λ=0.325μm) will quickly decrease during the propagation process, which implies that the damage of the ultraviolet ray to biological tissues is strong. The bigger structure constant of the refractive-index Cn2 corresponds to the smaller change of μ and P. There exists the obvious effect of the interval between two field points on the spectral degree of coherence and the spectral degree of polarization of random electromagnetic GSM beams passing biological tissues. The obtained results can provide the theoretical and experimental basis for the analysis to the coherence and polarization properties of random electromagnetic beams propagating through the complex biological tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan Meiling
- Department of Physics, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China.
| | - Zhang Chao
- Department of Physics, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Li Jinhong
- Department of Physics, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
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Kapócs G, Scholkmann F, Salari V, Császár N, Szőke H, Bókkon I. Possible role of biochemiluminescent photons for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-induced phosphenes and visual hallucinations. Rev Neurosci 2017; 28:77-86. [PMID: 27732562 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2016-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractToday, there is an increased interest in research on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) because it may offer new opportunities in psychotherapy under controlled settings. The more we know about how a drug works in the brain, the more opportunities there will be to exploit it in medicine. Here, based on our previously published papers and investigations, we suggest that LSD-induced visual hallucinations/phosphenes may be due to the transient enhancement of bioluminescent photons in the early retinotopic visual system in blind as well as healthy people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Kapócs
- 1Social Home for Psychiatric Patients, H-9970, Szentgotthard, Hungary
- 2Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University, H-1089, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Felix Scholkmann
- 3Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- 4Research Office for Complex Physical and Biological Systems (ROCoS), CH-8038 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vahid Salari
- 5Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran (Islamic Republic of)
- 6School of Physics, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran 19395-5531, Iran (Islamic Republic of)
| | - Noémi Császár
- 7Psychoszomatic OutPatient Department, H-1037, Budapest, Hungary
- 8Gaspar Karoly University Psychological Institute, H-1091 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Henrik Szőke
- 9Doctors School of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary
| | - István Bókkon
- 7Psychoszomatic OutPatient Department, H-1037, Budapest, Hungary
- 10Vision Research Institute, Neuroscience and Consciousness Research Department, Lowell, MA 01854, United States of America
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Rouleau N, Murugan NJ, Tessaro LWE, Costa JN, Persinger MA. When Is the Brain Dead? Living-Like Electrophysiological Responses and Photon Emissions from Applications of Neurotransmitters in Fixed Post-Mortem Human Brains. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167231. [PMID: 27907050 PMCID: PMC5131983 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of the post-mortem human brain can be preserved by immersing the organ within a fixative solution. Once the brain is perfused, cellular and histological features are maintained over extended periods of time. However, functions of the human brain are not assumed to be preserved beyond death and subsequent chemical fixation. Here we present a series of experiments which, together, refute this assumption. Instead, we suggest that chemical preservation of brain structure results in some retained functional capacity. Patterns similar to the living condition were elicited by chemical and electrical probes within coronal and sagittal sections of human temporal lobe structures that had been maintained in ethanol-formalin-acetic acid. This was inferred by a reliable modulation of frequency-dependent microvolt fluctuations. These weak microvolt fluctuations were enhanced by receptor-specific agonists and their precursors (i.e., nicotine, 5-HTP, and L-glutamic acid) as well as attenuated by receptor-antagonists (i.e., ketamine). Surface injections of 10 nM nicotine enhanced theta power within the right parahippocampal gyrus without any effect upon the ipsilateral hippocampus. Glutamate-induced high-frequency power densities within the left parahippocampal gyrus were correlated with increased photon counts over the surface of the tissue. Heschl’s gyrus, a transverse convexity on which the primary auditory cortex is tonotopically represented, retained frequency-discrimination capacities in response to sweeps of weak (2μV) square-wave electrical pulses between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. Together, these results suggest that portions of the post-mortem human brain may retain latent capacities to respond with potential life-like and virtual properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rouleau
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nirosha J. Murugan
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lucas W. E. Tessaro
- Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Human Studies Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justin N. Costa
- Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael A. Persinger
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Human Studies Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Human high intelligence is involved in spectral redshift of biophotonic activities in the brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:8753-8. [PMID: 27432962 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1604855113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human beings hold higher intelligence than other animals on Earth; however, it is still unclear which brain properties might explain the underlying mechanisms. The brain is a major energy-consuming organ compared with other organs. Neural signal communications and information processing in neural circuits play an important role in the realization of various neural functions, whereas improvement in cognitive function is driven by the need for more effective communication that requires less energy. Combining the ultraweak biophoton imaging system (UBIS) with the biophoton spectral analysis device (BSAD), we found that glutamate-induced biophotonic activities and transmission in the brain, which has recently been demonstrated as a novel neural signal communication mechanism, present a spectral redshift from animals (in order of bullfrog, mouse, chicken, pig, and monkey) to humans, even up to a near-infrared wavelength (∼865 nm) in the human brain. This brain property may be a key biophysical basis for explaining high intelligence in humans because biophoton spectral redshift could be a more economical and effective measure of biophotonic signal communications and information processing in the human brain.
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Scholkmann F. Long range physical cell-to-cell signalling via mitochondria inside membrane nanotubes: a hypothesis. Theor Biol Med Model 2016; 13:16. [PMID: 27267202 PMCID: PMC4896004 DOI: 10.1186/s12976-016-0042-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coordinated interaction of single cells by cell-to-cell communication (signalling) enables complex behaviour necessary for the functioning of multicellular organisms. A quite newly discovered cell-to-cell signalling mechanism relies on nanotubular cell-co-cell connections, termed "membrane nanotubes" (MNTs). The present paper presents the hypothesis that mitochondria inside MNTs can form a connected structure (mitochondrial network) which enables the exchange of energy and signals between cells. It is proposed that two modes of energy and signal transmission may occur: electrical/electrochemical and electromagnetic (optical). Experimental work supporting the hypothesis is reviewed, and suggestions for future research regarding the discussed topic are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Scholkmann
- Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstr. 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Research Office for Complex Physical and Biological Systems (ROCoS), Mutschellenstr. 179, 8038, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Li Z, Dai J. Biophotons Contribute to Retinal Dark Noise. Neurosci Bull 2016; 32:246-52. [PMID: 27059222 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-016-0029-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of dark noise in retinal photoreceptors resulted in a long-lasting controversy over its origin and the underlying mechanisms. Here, we used a novel ultra-weak biophoton imaging system (UBIS) to detect biophotonic activity (emission) under dark conditions in rat and bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) retinas in vitro. We found a significant temperature-dependent increase in biophotonic activity that was completely blocked either by removing intracellular and extracellular Ca(2+) together or inhibiting phosphodiesterase 6. These findings suggest that the photon-like component of discrete dark noise may not be caused by a direct contribution of the thermal activation of rhodopsin, but rather by an indirect thermal induction of biophotonic activity, which then activates the retinal chromophore of rhodopsin. Therefore, this study suggests a possible solution regarding the thermal activation energy barrier for discrete dark noise, which has been debated for almost half a century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Li
- Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China.,Department of Neurobiology, College of Life Sciences, South Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jiapei Dai
- Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China. .,Department of Neurobiology, College of Life Sciences, South Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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Salari V, Valian H, Bassereh H, Bókkon I, Barkhordari A. Ultraweak photon emission in the brain. J Integr Neurosci 2015; 14:419-29. [PMID: 26336891 DOI: 10.1142/s0219635215300012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides the low-frequency electromagnetic body-processes measurable through the electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), etc. there are processes that do not need external excitation, emitting light within or close to the visible spectra. Such ultraweak photon emission (UPE), also named biophoton emission, reflects the cellular (and body) oxidative status. Recently, a growing body of evidence shows that UPE may play an important role in the basic functioning of living cells. Moreover, interesting evidences are beginning to emerge that UPE may well play an important role in neuronal functions. In fact, biophotons are byproducts in cellular metabolism and produce false signals (e.g., retinal discrete dark noise) but on the other side neurons contain many light sensitive molecules that makes it hard to imagine how they might not be influenced by UPE, and thus UPE may carry informational contents. Here, we investigate UPE in the brain from different points of view such as experimental evidences, theoretical modeling, and physiological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Salari
- 1 Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.,2 School of Physics, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran 19395-5531, Iran
| | - H Valian
- 3 Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
| | - H Bassereh
- 3 Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
| | - I Bókkon
- 4 Psychoszomatic OutPatient Department of the National Center for Spinal Disorders, Hungary.,5 Vision Research Institute, 25 Rita St, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - A Barkhordari
- 6 Department of Physics, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Mahan, Kerman, Iran
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Scholkmann F. Two emerging topics regarding long-range physical signaling in neurosystems: Membrane nanotubes and electromagnetic fields. J Integr Neurosci 2015; 14:135-53. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219635215300115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Liebert A, Bicknell B, Adams R. Prion Protein Signaling in the Nervous System—A Review and Perspective. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4137/sti.s12319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Prion protein (PrPC) was originally known as the causative agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) but with recent research, its true function in cells is becoming clearer. It is known to act as a scaffolding protein, binding multiple ligands at the cell membrane and to be involved in signal transduction, passing information from the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the cytoplasm. Its role in the coordination of transmitters at the synapse, glyapse, and gap junction and in short- and long-range neurotrophic signaling gives PrPC a major part in neural transmission and nervous system signaling. It acts to regulate cellular function in multiple targets through its role as a controller of redox status and calcium ion flux. Given the importance of PrPC in cell physiology, this review considers its potential role in disease apart from TSE. The putative functions of PrPC point to involvement in neurodegenerative disease, neuropathic pain, chronic headache, and inflammatory disease including neuroinflammatory disease of the nervous system. Potential targets for the treatment of disease influenced by PrPC are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Liebert
- Faculty of Health Science, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Brian Bicknell
- Faculty of Health Science, Australian Catholic University, Australia
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