title: Quantum decoherence time scales for ionic superposition states in ion channels.
abstract: There are many controversial and challenging discussions about quantum effects in microscopic structures in neurons of the brain and their role in cognitive processing. In this paper, we focus on a small, nanoscale part of ion channels which is called the "selectivity filter" and plays a key role in the operation of an ion channel. Our results for superposition states of potassium ions indicate that decoherence times are of the order of picoseconds. This decoherence time is not long enough for cognitive processing in the brain, however, it may be adequate for quantum superposition states of ions in the filter to leave their quantum traces on the selectivity filter and action potentials.
authors: Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.|Foundations of Physics Group, School of Physics, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran 19395-5531, Iran.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Salari
authors: Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Moradi
authors: Department of Physics, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord 88176-53849, Iran.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sajadi
authors: Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Fazileh
authors: Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Shahbazi
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels