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A Neuronal Inhibition Mediated Electrically

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N.E. Anden, A. Dahlström, K. Fuxe, K. Larsson, L. Olson, U. Ungerstedt · 1973

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Single nerve cell electrical discharge blocked surrounding nerve activity up to 200 micrometers from the cell body in goldfish.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1973 study examined goldfish nerve cells and found that when a single Mauthner cell fires an electrical impulse, it creates a powerful electrical field that blocks nerve activity in surrounding cells up to 200 micrometers from its soma. The electrical current from one nerve cell was strong enough to prevent other nearby nerve cells from firing, demonstrating how electrical fields can directly interfere with normal nervous system function.

Why This Matters

This foundational research reveals something critical that applies directly to our modern EMF environment: electrical fields can powerfully disrupt normal nerve cell function. While this study examined natural bioelectrical activity in fish, the principle it demonstrates is universal across nervous systems. The Mauthner cell's electrical discharge created a field strong enough to block nerve firing in neurons as far as 200 micrometers from its soma. What this means for you is that if natural bioelectrical fields can interfere with nerve function at these distances, artificial EMF from our devices operating at much higher intensities could potentially cause similar disruption in human nervous systems. The reality is that our brains and nervous systems evolved to function within Earth's natural electromagnetic environment, not the artificial fields we've created with wireless technology.

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagrams extracted from the original research document.

diagramPage 1 - Figure 1 illustrates evidence that impulses evoked in M-cell can generate inhibitory PHPs in adjacent neurons.
p. 1 of the original PDF
chartPage 2 - Figure 2 illustrates passive hyperpolarizing potentials evoked at different membrane potential levels in neurons recorded intracellularly through a double microelectrode.
p. 2 of the original PDF
Cite This Study
N.E. Anden, A. Dahlström, K. Fuxe, K. Larsson, L. Olson, U. Ungerstedt (1973). A Neuronal Inhibition Mediated Electrically.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_neuronal_inhibition_mediated_electrically_g4846,
  author = {N.E. Anden and A. Dahlström and K. Fuxe and K. Larsson and L. Olson and U. Ungerstedt},
  title = {A Neuronal Inhibition Mediated Electrically},
  year = {1973},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

In goldfish, a single Mauthner cell's electrical discharge affected surrounding neurons as far as 200 micrometers from its soma. This distance demonstrates that bioelectrical fields can influence nerve function across relatively large cellular distances through direct electrical interference.
When goldfish Mauthner cells fire, they create electrical currents that flow into surrounding nerve cells, causing hyperpolarization. This electrical interference is powerful enough to completely block those nearby neurons from firing their own impulses.
Yes, this study showed that electrical current from a firing Mauthner cell was sufficient to block spike activity in adjacent neurons. The electrical interference prevented both directly stimulated spikes and those triggered through synaptic connections.
Absolutely. The goldfish Mauthner cell study proved that natural bioelectrical fields can interfere with normal nerve function. The electrical discharge from one cell created currents strong enough to inhibit surrounding neural activity across significant distances.
Hyperpolarization occurs due to inward transmembrane current flow generated by the Mauthner cell's electrical spike. This current creates an electrical field that changes the voltage across nearby cell membranes, preventing normal nerve firing.