Statistical Field Theory of the Transmission of Nerve Impulses

Zangari del Balzo, G. Statistical field theory of the transmission of nerve impulses. Theor Biol Med Model 18, 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12976-020-00132-9

10 Pages Posted: 7 Oct 2020 Last revised: 7 Jan 2021

See all articles by Gianluigi Zangari del Balzo

Gianluigi Zangari del Balzo

Sapienza University of Rome - Department of Physics

Date Written: January 6, 2021

Abstract

Background
Stochastic processes leading voltage-gated ion channel dynamics on the nerve cell membrane are a sufficient condition to describe membrane conductance through statistical mechanics of disordered and complex systems.

Results
Voltage-gated ion channels in the nerve cell membrane are described by the Ising model. Stochastic circuit elements called “Ising Neural Machines” are introduced. Action potentials are described as quasi-particles of a statistical field theory for the Ising system.

Conclusions
The particle description of action potentials is a new point of view and a powerful tool to describe the generation and propagation of nerve impulses, especially when classical electrophysiological models break down. The particle description of action potentials allows us to develop a new generation of devices to study neurodegenerative and demyelinating diseases as Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, even integrated by connectomes. It is also suitable for the study of complex networks, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine and deep learning, cryptography, ultra-fast lines for entanglement experiments and many other applications of medical, physical and engineering interest.

Note: Funding Statement: The author received no specific funding for this work, as it is a voluntary work for the fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic. Declaration of Interests: Not applicable. Ethics Approval Statement: Not applicable.

Keywords: action potentials, ion channels, Hodgkin-Huxley model, Ising model, statistical field theory, quasi particles, Multiple Sclerosis, particle physics, complex networks

Suggested Citation

Zangari del Balzo, Gianluigi, Statistical Field Theory of the Transmission of Nerve Impulses (January 6, 2021). Zangari del Balzo, G. Statistical field theory of the transmission of nerve impulses. Theor Biol Med Model 18, 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12976-020-00132-9 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3659034 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3659034

Gianluigi Zangari del Balzo (Contact Author)

Sapienza University of Rome - Department of Physics ( email )

Piazzale Aldo Moro 2
Rome, I-00185
Italy

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