Synaptic sensitization in the anterior cingulate cortex sustains the consciousness of pain via synchronized oscillating electromagnetic waves

Abstract

A recent report showed that experiencing pain requires not only activities in the brain, but also the generation of electric fields in a defined area of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The present manuscript presents evidence that electromagnetic (EM) waves are also necessary. Action potentials (APs) encoding information about an injury stimulate thousands synapses on pyramidal neurons within the ACC resulting in the generation of synchronized oscillating (EM) waves and the activation of NMDA receptors. The latter induces a long-term potentiation (LTP) in the pyramidal dendrites that is necessary to experience both neuropathic and visceral pain. The LTP sensitizes transmission across the synapses that sustains the duration of the waves and the pain, EM waves containing information about the injury travel throughout the brain and studies using transcranial stimulation indicate that they can induce NMDA-mediated LTP in distant neuronal circuits. What is ultimately experienced as pain depends on the almost instantaneous integration of information from numerous neuronal centers, such as the amygdala, that are widely separated in the brain. These centers also generate EM waves and I propose that the EM waves from these centers interact to rapidly adjust the intensity of the pain to accommodate past and present circumstances. Where the waves are transformed into a consciousness of pain is unknown. One possibility is the mind which, according to contemporary theories, is where conscious experiences arise. The hypothesis can be tested directly by blocking the waves from the ACC. If correct, the waves would open new avenues of research into the relationship between the brain, consciousness, and the mind.