Terahertz Radiation Affects the Dynamics of Neurons by Decreasing Membrane Area Ratio

Abstract

Category: Neuroscience Tags: terahertz radiation, neuronal morphology, membrane area ratio, neurophysiology, EMF health risk, cellular effects, neuromodulation DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111373 URL: sciencedirect.com Overview Terahertz radiation at specific frequencies and energies is known to mediate cellular morphology or function changes, potentially through exciting nonlinear resonance effects in proteins or DNA. However, how terahertz radiation affects neuronal morphology and function has remained unclear, particularly concerning the correlation between neuronal morphology and kinetic properties after such exposure. Methods & Findings - Morphology Characterization: The study characterized morphological changes by measuring the relative ratio of neuronal cytosol to protruding membrane area. - Influence Patterns: The influence of terahertz radiation on neuronal morphology and its cumulative effects were systematically analyzed. - Kinetic Modeling: Researchers created a kinetic model of neurons regulated by terahertz radiation and studied how the radiation impacts their kinetic properties and the relationship to morphological changes. Key findings include: - Terahertz radiation caused a decrease in the membrane area ratio (cytosol to protrusion) in neurons. This effect initiated on the first day of terahertz exposure and persisted throughout the radiation period. - The radiation altered neuronal discharge patterns through this decreased membrane area ratio, resulting in reduced frequency of neuronal inter-cluster discharges, lower amplitude of action potentials, and increased intra-cluster discharges. - The peak value of neuronal postsynaptic currents increased with the decreased membrane area ratio. Conclusion Terahertz radiation can modulate neuronal morphology and subsequently modify firing patterns and kinetic properties via such morphological changes. These results indicate a significant effect of electromagnetic fields at terahertz frequencies on neural health and function. The study suggests that such radiation, at specific frequencies and energies, could be further developed as a molecular-level neuromodulation technique for the intervention or treatment of neuronal degenerative diseases. ⚠️ Important Note: Exposure to terahertz radiation as a form of electromagnetic field (EMF) poses a clear link to altered neural activity and morphology, raising caution about its health implications.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Terahertz radiation decreased the neuronal membrane area ratio (cytosol to protruding membrane area), with the effect starting on day 1 and persisting during exposure. The decreased membrane area ratio was associated with altered firing patterns (reduced inter-cluster discharge frequency, lower action potential amplitude, increased intra-cluster discharges) and increased peak postsynaptic current.

Outcomes measured

• neuronal morphology (membrane area ratio; cytosol to protruding membrane area)
• neuronal discharge patterns (inter-cluster discharge frequency, intra-cluster discharges)
• action potential amplitude
• postsynaptic current peak value
• neuronal kinetic properties (modeled)

Limitations

• Specific terahertz frequencies and energies are referenced but not provided in the abstract.
• Exposure duration and dosing metrics (e.g., power density, SAR) are not reported in the abstract.
• Study system (in vitro, animal, human) is not specified in the abstract.
• Sample size and statistical details are not provided in the abstract.

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "terahertz",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Initiated on the first day of terahertz exposure and persisted throughout the radiation period (exact duration not stated)."
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "neuronal morphology (membrane area ratio; cytosol to protruding membrane area)",
        "neuronal discharge patterns (inter-cluster discharge frequency, intra-cluster discharges)",
        "action potential amplitude",
        "postsynaptic current peak value",
        "neuronal kinetic properties (modeled)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Terahertz radiation decreased the neuronal membrane area ratio (cytosol to protruding membrane area), with the effect starting on day 1 and persisting during exposure. The decreased membrane area ratio was associated with altered firing patterns (reduced inter-cluster discharge frequency, lower action potential amplitude, increased intra-cluster discharges) and increased peak postsynaptic current.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Specific terahertz frequencies and energies are referenced but not provided in the abstract.",
        "Exposure duration and dosing metrics (e.g., power density, SAR) are not reported in the abstract.",
        "Study system (in vitro, animal, human) is not specified in the abstract.",
        "Sample size and statistical details are not provided in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "terahertz radiation",
        "neurons",
        "neuronal morphology",
        "membrane area ratio",
        "action potentials",
        "postsynaptic currents",
        "neuromodulation",
        "kinetic model"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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