Photons detected in the active nerve by photographic technique

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.

Optical Modeling and Characterization of Demyelinated Nerve Using Graphene-Based Photonic Structure

“…Moreover, a hypothesis is that photons can be transferred through the myelin sheath and can function as an optical waveguide, despite some challenges on the photon's source, whether it is human-made or natural. Recent findings also support the assumption that the myelin pathway of nerve fiber has the potential to pass the photons; however, those indications are based on only theoretical simulations and lack supporting experimental data [24,27]. On this basis, the demyelination effect of nerve fibers can be considered interesting research in photonic communication in nerves.…”

“…Employing electrical signals for nerve stimulation in the brain is very common; however, this method is inefficient for micro/nanoscale brain tissue because of incompatibility between wavelengths in kHz and sample size [19,20]. By focusing on deep brain stimulation, particular mechanisms have emerged which deal with the implications of light manipulations for neural communication applications -optogenetic [21], upconversion techniques [22,23], photon communication [24][25][26]-ranging from Terahertz (THz) to the optical frequencies [19,27]. Modern optical techniques used to obtain a wavelength range corresponding to the thickness of myelin to virtualize a multilayer myelin nanostructure are being developed as part of breakthrough new knowledge in the field of neurophotonics [18][19][20]28].…”

The effect of photobiomodulation on the brain during wakefulness and sleep

“…Since that time, the evidence for this form of communication has developed further and has been referred to as biophotons. This self-generated light is thought to arise from the many intrinsic metabolic processes that occur within the cell, principally from the mitochondria, and be absorbed by a number of chromophores (e.g., cytochrome oxidase c) either within the same or neighboring (i.e., bystander) cells, leading ultimately to a change in electrical activity ( Grass et al, 2004 ; Tang and Dai, 2014 ; Salari et al, 2015 ; Mothersill et al, 2019 ; Van Wijk et al, 2020 ; Moro et al, 2021 ; Zangari et al, 2021 ).…”

“…They cannot be seen by the naked eye, nor even a fluorescence microscope, but only with an ultra-sensitive light detection device or with a very specific histological stain. The biophoton emissions have a rather broad range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet to red and near infrared range (i.e., λ = 200–950 nm), the latter being within the range of photobiomodulation ( Dotta et al, 2014 ; Tang and Dai, 2014 ; Zangari et al, 2021 ). It is not clear whether biophoton emissions from the mitochondria initially formed by accident, as a byproduct of metabolic activity, or by design, serving a specific purpose.…”

“…It is not clear whether biophoton emissions from the mitochondria initially formed by accident, as a byproduct of metabolic activity, or by design, serving a specific purpose. Either way, all neurones may have evolved the biophoton network to communicate and for repair ( Grass et al, 2004 ; Tang and Dai, 2014 ; Salari et al, 2015 ; Mothersill et al, 2019 ; Van Wijk et al, 2020 ; Moro et al, 2021 ; Zangari et al, 2021 ). A most striking feature of biophotons emissions from cells is that they can vary – in terms of intensity and wavelength - depending on the state of homeostasis, whether the cell is healthy or diseased ( Figure 5 ; Tang and Dai, 2014 ; Salari et al, 2015 ).…”