Neuronal cell membrane lipid bilayer

The neuronal cell membrane lipid bilayer is a complex, semi-permeable structure composed of phospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol that surrounds nerve fibers and neurons (Alberts et al., 2002). It serves as the primary barrier for maintaining the electrochemical gradients essential for the generation and propagation of action potentials (StatPearls, 2023). The physical properties of the bilayer, such as fluidity, thickness, and lateral pressure, are critical for the proper functioning of embedded membrane proteins, including ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors (Cantor, 1997). In diseases like multiple sclerosis, the degradation of the lipid-rich myelin sheath leads to significant neurological deficits due to the loss of membrane integrity and insulation (National MS Society, 2023). Pharmacologically, the lipid bilayer is a significant target for general anesthetics and alcohols, which are hypothesized to alter the membrane's physical state to modulate the activity of signaling proteins (Franks, 2008). Understanding the interactions between drugs and the lipid environment is vital for developing treatments that stabilize membranes or selectively disrupt them in pathological conditions (Tsuchiya & Mizogami, 2013).

Other names

Nerve fiber lipid bilayerAxonal membraneNeuronal plasma membraneMyelin lipid bilayerPhospholipid bilayer

Modulation of membrane fluidity, alteration of lateral pressure profile, and disruption of lipid-protein interactions which indirectly affects the function of embedded ion channels and receptors (Franks, 2008; Cantor, 1997).