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.
Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, W1354 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. cftai@pitt.edu
Changfeng
C
Tai
Jicheng
J
Wang
James R
JR
Roppolo
William C
WC
de Groat
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