Earl K. MillerMay 19, 2023

New paper!
Cytoelectric Coupling: Electric fields sculpt neural activity and “tune” the brain’s infrastructure.

Brain waves carry info and alter the brain on the molecular level. This tunes the cytoskeleton, optimizing network function.

Work by Dimitris Pinotsis.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102465

Show threadDavid SchoppikMay 19, 2023

@ekmiller I got to "Thus, it stands to reason that electric activity and fields could play a direct role by configuring and stabilizing cytoskeleton proteins." but I confess that there was nothing in the preceding paragraphs that let me make that leap with you.

Help me out please? What's the experiment that would disprove the the Cytoelectric Coupling Hypothesis? Maybe propose two: one free of all tech considerations, and one that might be achievable now? Thanks!

Show threadEarl K. MillerMay 20, 2023
@schoppik Make electric fields oscillate, look at the effects on scaffolding proteins. Bob's your uncle!
Show threadDavid SchoppikMay 20, 2023
@ekmiller how would that disprove the hypothesis? I’m on board with the idea that cytoskeletal proteins carry charge and as such can be influenced by electric fields. It’s everything after that the conceptual advance, right?
Show threadEarl K. MillerMay 20, 2023

@schoppik There's always the null hypothesis. No effect on proteins. If there are effects, are they good or bad?

I am not a molecular biologist. I can't tell you the deets. But others can and hopefully will.

Show threadDavid SchoppikMay 20, 2023
@ekmiller how do you envision that the electrical fields confine their effects to neurons? Wouldn’t they also affect the cytoskeleton in nearby vasculature? Or glia? Asking bc it’s hard to apply “good” or “bad” to trophic/metabolic players.
Show threadEarl K. Miller

@schoppik

EFs are ideal for tuning up any bio system. Tuning a system means getting the parts to harmonize. EFs spread and share influences at the speed of light.

May 21, 2023 at 12:24pmWeb