Neuroquantology, the Ultimate Quest - Brain Theory from a Circuits and Systems Perspective - page 152

Fig. 9.2 Blocked ion channel

Electrons in Synapses

Postsynaptic retrograde electrons have been proposed as serving to release
neurotransmitters in presynaptic vesicles [ 6 ]. Electrons are not usually mentioned
in neuroscience. The usual simplified model for the release of neurotransmitters is
that a positive pulse burst to the boutons in conjunction with thermal activity
motivates vesicle release [ 7 ].
Walker proposed that an additional impetus is needed to open up the vesicles of
neurotransmitters. Initially both pre- and postsynapse are at rest at about

70 mV.
But when pulses arrive, each at +40 mV peak, positive charge tends to attract
negative electrons across the synaptic cleft. The maximum energy possible for an
electron is about +40 110 mV. There are a great many stray electrons

that could fly through the cleft. Thus a number of them hit the regions of vesicle
gates, providing over a volt of energy (one electron-volt is 1.6

( 70) ¼

10 19 J, or joules).
This is a big punch to small objects, proposed to be enough to nudge vesicle gates
and to stimulate neurotransmitters.
Synapses are typically close together (refer to Fig. 9.3 ). The release of electrons
from one may cause electrons to travel to others via quantum tunneling. Walker
suggests that electrons tunnel to other synapses, instigating and effectively
synchronizing synaptic firings. Tunneling is facilitated by a series of RNA
(ribonucleic acid) molecules. This is very interesting, since the possibility of