Relationship between temperature and stimulation frequency in conduction block of amphibian myelinated axon.
The temperature-frequency relationship in nerve conduction block induced by high-frequency, biphasic electrical current was investigated by computer simulation using an amphibian myelinated axon model based on Frankenhaeuser-Huxley (FH) equations. For an axon of diameter 10 microm, the minimal blocking frequency was changed from 6 to 3 kHz as the temperature was decreased from 37 degrees C to 15 degrees C. The maximal blocking temperature below which the axon could be blocked was increased from 22 degrees C to 37 degrees C as the stimulation frequency was increased from 4 to 8 kHz. The maximal blocking temperature was not influenced by axon diameter. Simulation analysis also revealed that activation of potassium channels might determine the temperature-frequency relationship. This study indicates that temperature might be one of the factors that cause the frequency discrepancy as reported in previous animal studies.
Tai
Changfeng
C
Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, W1354 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. cftai@pitt.edu
Wang
Jicheng
J
Roppolo
James R
JR
de Groat
William C
WC
D000465:Algorithms; D000663:Amphibians; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009407:Nerve Block; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000502:physiology*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
D015221:Potassium Channels