Non-Thermal Mechanism of Weak Microwave Fields Influence on Nerve Fiber

TL;DR

This paper proposes a non-thermal mechanism where weak microwave fields in the 30-300 GHz range induce ultrasonic vibrations in nerve membranes, potentially affecting nerve signal initiation by redistributing transmembrane channels.

Contribution

It introduces a novel non-thermal resonance-based mechanism for microwave influence on nerve fibers, emphasizing the role of ultrasonic vibrations in membrane dynamics.

Findings

Resonances occur at 30-300 GHz causing ultrasonic vibrations.

Ultrasonic vibrations may alter transmembrane channel distribution.

Initial segment of nerve fibers is most sensitive to microwave effects.

Abstract

We propose a non-thermal mechanism of weak microwave field impact on a nerve fiber. It is shown that in the range of about 30 - 300 GHz there are strongly pronounced resonances associated with the excitation of ultrasonic vibrations in the membrane as a result of interaction with electromagnetic radiation. These vibrations create acoustic pressure which may lead to the redistribution of the protein transmembrane channels, and, thus, changing the threshold of the action potential excitation in the axons of the neural network. The influence of the electromagnetic microwave radiation on various specific areas of myelin nerve fibers was analyzed: the nodes of Ranvier, and the so-called initial segment - the area between the neuron hillock and the first part of the axon covered with the myelin layer. It is shown that the initial segment is the most sensitive area of the myelined nerve fibers from which the action potential normally starts.