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Protons are gaining increasing attention as neurotransmitters due to their extraordinary abilities to rapidly transfer electrical charge, mobilize cellular calcium and modulate ion channels. How all this is possible is currently the subject of in-depth studies and discussions concerning not only neurophysiology, but also biological materials for artificial intelligence. This review describes some biochemical mechanisms by which protons, in combination with calcium, can initiate firing in sensory neurons and transmit impulses across synapses, thus supporting the action of Na+ and K+ ions shown by Hodgkin and Huxley. Furthermore, mechanisms are put forward concerning how many hydrolases and neurotransmitters, particularly glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, adenosine triphosphate and acetylcholine, are able to generate protons. The results of the numerous experimental works taken into consideration indicate that protons can play a fundamental role both in the generation and in the transmission of the sensory nerve impulse.
Giuliano Molinari (Wed,) studied this question.