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

Authors: Ma S, Li S, Wang H, Li Y, Lu C, Li X

Year: 2025 May 6

Category: Neuroscience

Journal: Brain Research Bulletin

DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111373

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923025001856?via%3Dihub

Abstract

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.

terahertz radiation neuronal morphology membrane area ratio neurophysiology EMF health risk cellular effects neuromodulation
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