It is widely accepted that nerve pulses propagate by means of electrical signals, the so-called Hodgkin-Huxley model. However, some phenomena are not easily explained by this mechanism: How can anaesthetic molecules of very different structure act as inhibitors of nerve pulses? A research group at the Niels Bohr institute has offered an intriguing explanation: Nerve pulses propagate by mechanical sound waves which are inhibited when anaesthetics dissolve into the membranes of nerve cells.
Professor Thomas Heimburg from the University of Copenhagen will first present the classical model for nerve impulse propagation and after the break present evidence for the new model based on sound waves - its implications and controversies.
Program:
Outline of the classical model and evidence of nerve impulses as sound waves.
Professor Thomas Heimburg, Niels Bohr institute, University of Copenhagen
Break with sandwiches
How has the sound wave theory been received by neurophysiologists?
Professor Thomas Heimburg, Niels Bohr institute, University of Copenhagen
Questions and comments
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