Jiang Shaolei, Zhong Yuan, Chen Peng, Wang Anqi, Zhu Junquan, Li Yangmei, Zhu Zhi
School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.
Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 1;15(1):21974. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-08207-8.
N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) are essential for synaptic plasticity and cognitive function, making their modulation a promising strategy for treating disorders like schizophrenia and cognitive impairment. However, methods to selectively modulate NMDAR activity in the lesion's nucleus of the central nervous system remain limited. In this study, using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we demonstrated that frequency-specific (42.5 THz) terahertz irradiation significantly enhanced both the frequency and amplitude of NMDAR-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), a response closely linked to Ca²⁺ currents. The mechanism is elucidated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, revealing that 42.5 THz irradiation effectively alters the free energy landscape of Ca²⁺ permeating through the NMDAR channel. Specifically, THz photons resonated with key carboxyl groups at the Ca²⁺ binding site, leading to an increase in Ca²⁺ permeability and consequently enhanced mEPSCs. These findings suggest a novel physical therapy approach for treating cognitive deficits and neurological disorders associated with impaired NMDAR function.
N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体(NMDAR)对于突触可塑性和认知功能至关重要,这使得对其进行调节成为治疗精神分裂症和认知障碍等疾病的一种有前景的策略。然而,在中枢神经系统损伤核团中选择性调节NMDAR活性的方法仍然有限。在本研究中,我们使用全细胞膜片钳记录表明,频率特异性(42.5太赫兹)太赫兹辐射显著增强了NMDAR介导的微小兴奋性突触后电流(mEPSC)的频率和幅度,这种反应与Ca²⁺电流密切相关。通过分子动力学(MD)模拟阐明了其机制,结果显示42.5太赫兹辐射有效地改变了Ca²⁺通过NMDAR通道渗透的自由能景观。具体而言,太赫兹光子与Ca²⁺结合位点的关键羧基发生共振,导致Ca²⁺通透性增加,从而增强了mEPSC。这些发现提示了一种治疗与NMDAR功能受损相关的认知缺陷和神经疾病的新型物理治疗方法。
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