Definition
Computational modeling of axons is used to determine the action potential initiation and propagation properties along these long and highly branched structures. Issues under investigation include the site and threshold of action potential initiation, propagation speed in unmyelinated and myelinated axons, and safety factors of propagation through branch points and other geometrical inhomogeneities, such as presynaptic boutons. Modeling allows exploration of the interaction between axonal morphology (diameters and branching structure) and passive and active membrane properties in determining the speed and reliability of action potential propagation. This can include the effects of ion channel noise. Modeling is also used to explore axonal development, including growth cone guidance and branching.
Detailed Description
The axon is the principle communication pathway from one neuron to another. Brief voltage pulses called action potentials (AP) are initiated near the cell body...
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Graham, B. (2014). Modeling the Axon. In: Jaeger, D., Jung, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_241-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_241-1
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