Effect of geometry on propagation of action potentials in neurons; an in silico analysis

Abstract

Deformation of neuron structure can induce abnormalities in action potential propagation in nervous system, which is a potential threat from viewpoint of medical science. The effect of geometrical changes and deformation of neuron structure on the propagation of action potential has been studied theoretically. The theoretical model is based on modified cable equation considering spatial changes of the neuron structure, incorporating the different ionic currents' components. The results of our analysis reveal that the morphology of the neuron has a significant effect on properties of action potential propagation in the neuron. We have shown that alteration of the velocity of propagation, and the broadening of action potential pulses directly correspond to the changes in the morphology of neuron fiber. The rates of changes in the above mentioned electrophysiological parameters accord with the rate and type of shape deformation.

Effects of nerve bundle geometry on neurotrauma evaluation

“…Experiments have also revealed a close link between changes in electrical signal propagation and changes in the geometrical structure of neurons . Indeed, a geometrical alteration of neural morphology can modify the propagation properties of the action potential, for instance by delaying propagation . A detailed investigation of nonrecoverable deformations of the neural microenvironment (injuries, trauma, and tumors) is needed to evaluate and estimate the role of nerve bundle geometry in changing neural activity.…”

“…In contrast with previous modeling efforts, we propose a fully coupled 3D electromechanical model of a nerve bundle, which includes electromechanical coupling of the neural activity. We apply mechanical loads inducing damage at the nerve membrane layer to investigate the changes in neuronal membrane excitability and propagation in response to changes in electrostriction .…”

Electrophysiological effects of low frequency electrical radiation on the neural compartment: a theoretical investigation

“…Due to the essential role played by the voltagegated calcium and A-type potassium channels in generating dendritic spikes [36], a theoretical model has been considered which fully takes into account the characteristics of dendrites. We have used the modified cable equation which assumes the spatial variation of neuron structure, incorporating different ionic components of the membrane structure which has been applied to analyze the relation between axons geometries and the action potential abnormalities [37]. To the best of our knowledge this model has not been used to study the effect of an electric field on the different morphologies of dendrites.…”

Effects of nerve bundle geometry on neurotrauma evaluation

“…Experiments have also revealed a close link between changes in electrical signal propagation and changes in the geometrical structure of neurons (P.-C. Zhang, Keleshian, & Sachs, 2001). Indeed, a geometrical alteration of neural morphology can modify the propagation properties of the action potential, for instance by delaying propagation (Boucher, Joós, & Morris, 2012;Cinelli, Destrade, Duffy, & McHugh, 2017c;Mohagheghian, 2015). A detailed investigation of nonrecoverable deformations of the neural microenvironment (injuries (Jérusalem et al, 2014;Wright & Ramesh, 2012), trauma (Jérusalem et al, 2014), tumours (Mohagheghian, 2015)) is needed to evaluate and estimate the role of nerve bundle geometry in changing neural activity.…”

“…In contrast with previous modelling efforts (Jérusalem et al, 2014;Mohagheghian, 2015), we propose a fully coupled 3D electro-mechanical model of a nerve bundle (Cinelli, Destrade, Duffy, & McHugh, 2017b;, which includes electro-mechanical coupling (Alvarez & Latorre, 1978;El Hady & Machta, 2015;P.-C. Zhang et al, 2001) of the neural activity. We apply mechanical loads inducing damage Jérusalem et al, 2014) at the nerve membrane layer to investigate the changes in neuronal membrane excitability (Jérusalem et al, 2014) and propagation (Boucher et al, 2012) in response to changes in electrostriction (Mueller & Tyler, 2014).…”