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Action Potential

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...

Action Potential

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential....

Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview

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An electrochemical gradient is a fundamental concept in biology and chemistry. It regulates the movement of ions across cell membranes. This movement is influenced by two factors:
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Neuronal Communication

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Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

External Excitation of Neurons Using Electric and Magnetic Fields in One- and Two-dimensional Cultures

External Excitation of Neurons Using Electric and Magnetic Fields in One- and Two-dimensional Cultures

Published on: May 7, 2017

Neuronal spike initiation modulated by extracellular electric fields.

Guo-Sheng Yi¹, Jiang Wang¹, Xi-Le Wei¹

¹School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.

|May 31, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Neuronal geometry significantly impacts how neurons initiate electrical spikes in response to external electric fields. Changes in the geometric parameter, not internal coupling, alter spike dynamics and neuronal responses.

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Last Updated: Apr 28, 2026

External Excitation of Neurons Using Electric and Magnetic Fields in One- and Two-dimensional Cultures

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Published on: October 13, 2012

Area of Science:

Computational neuroscience
Biophysics

Background:

Neurons generate electrical spikes to process information.
Extracellular electric fields can influence neuronal activity.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the dynamical and biophysical mechanisms of neuronal spike initiation.
Analyze the role of geometric parameters and internal coupling conductance in response to electric fields.

Main Methods:

Utilized a reduced two-compartment model of a neuron.
Employed stability and phase plane analysis.
Examined somatic membrane current activation at subthreshold potentials.

Main Results:

Neuronal geometric parameter qualitatively alters bifurcation structures and phase portraits.
Increasing geometric parameter switches spike initiation dynamics from Hopf to SNIC bifurcation.
Internal coupling conductance has a minimal effect on spike initiation dynamics.

Conclusions:

Neuronal geometric parameter is critical for determining spike initiation dynamics.
Understanding these dynamics aids in interpreting neuronal encoding of electric fields.