Neuronal morphology as an instrument for information coding: studying the influence of axonal radius and branching points

Netanel Ofer, O. Shefi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The cell's electrical behavior is affected from its morphology. The geometry could filter the spike repetition and consequently has a role in the information processing of the cell [1, 2]. We examine the response of axons to different current stimuli using the Hodgkin Huxley cable model. We explore the influence of the cell morphology on the electrical activity pattern. We analyze the electrical response of axons with different morphology to different current stimuli using nonlinear dynamics tools. The electrical response patterns are presented in phase diagrams, bifurcation diagrams and 2D response diagrams. Normally a wide range of constant current stimuli, applied to one end of a simple cylindrical axon, leads to the generation of a train of action potentials propagating along the axon. We find that for a narrow range of high current stimuli, the stimulus leads to different patterns of response. These patterns include series of spikes followed by a single failure and a single spike followed by some failures. For specific current stimulus regimes, chaotic behavior is observed. Figure 1. represents the three responses along the axon for different radii of axon. A constant current stimulus of 1.025 mA/cm2 injected to a 20µm axon radius results in the generation of five action potentials followed by a single failure (A). Current stimulus of 8.5 mA/cm2 injected to a 500µm axon radius results in generation of a single action potential followed by three failures (B). Current stimulus of 4.064 mA/cm2 injected to a 238µm axon radius leads to a chaotic response (C). Interestingly, similar behaviors can be generated along axonal trees at the branching points. A train of action potentials that propagates in the main branch bifurcates into daughter branches. Some of the spikes may fail to pass the junction point, leading to electrical response pattern of failures betw
Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationComputational Neuroscience
StatePublished - 2013

Bibliographical note

Place of conference:France

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