Quantum Theory and Modern Neuroscience

JJ Thomson’s electron and Henri Becquerel’s alpha particle were key to Ernest Rutherford developing his model of atomic structure. Disparities between the charge and mass of the atomic nucleusAtomic nucleus soon led to the discovery of the neutron. Niels Bohr’s application of the new quantum theory of Max Planck and Albert Einstein to atomic structure solved the problem of electrons remaining in orbit and not crashing into the nucleus. Electrons had dual properties of particles and waves. Quantum theory provided new rules for understanding electricity and magnetismMagnetism that led to a range of modern electronic devices from transistors and lasers to cell phones and modern computers. The quantum prediction that spinning protons and neutrons generate a magnetic field like the spinning electrons in orbit around the nucleus led to the discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance. This in turn led to the discovery of magnetic resonance imaging revolutionizing the medical specialty of neurology.