Wi-Fi for Neurons: The First Map of Exposed Wireless Nerve Signals in Worms

Studies have shown the existence of a densely connected network of neurons that communicate over long distances, rather than communicating through synapses.

Introduction

The idea that the nervous system transmits messages from one neuron to another only through synapses – the points where cells connect with each other – has changed thanks to two studies that demonstrate how messages can be transmitted between cells over longer distances through a “wireless” neural network in the Caenorhabditis elegans worms.

Studies

Two studies have shown how messages can be transmitted between cells over longer distances through a “wireless” neural network in the Caenorhabditis elegans worms. The studies have revealed the existence of a densely connected network of neurons that communicate over long distances, instead of communicating through synapses.

Conclusion

The studies suggest the presence of a “wireless” neural network in the worms that allows for the transmission of messages between cells over long distances, which alters the traditional view that messages are only transmitted through synapses. This discovery may be key to understanding how the nervous system functions and evolves.

References

1. Randi, F., Sharma, A. K., Dvali, S. & Leifer, A. M. Nature 623, 406–414 (2023).

2. Ripoll-Sánchez, L. et al. Neuron 111, 3570–3589 (2023).

3. Wang, H. et al. Science 382, eabq8173 (2023).

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03619-w