Simulating stimulating bulges: the electrical meddling of neurons.
The steady-state cable equations were used to describe the response of discontinuous neuronal cylinders to extracellular electric fields. Where two unequal diameters join, there forms a strong local peak of membrane polarization. Under fields of constant gradient, this peak roughly equals the drop in external voltage over the distance given by the larger length-constant. In contrast, altering the specific membrane resistance along part of a uniformly shaped axon affects the general level of membrane potential without causing a local peak. Field-effects due to structural discontinuities, although relevant to the interpretation of experiments using electrical stimulation, are shown to be of minor functional consequence compared to chemical gating of membrane current.
Hentall
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Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, San Juan.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009433:Neural Inhibition; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
D007473:Ion Channels