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Related Concept Videos

Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

11.6K
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...
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Action Potential01:31

Action Potential

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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...
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Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

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Overview
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Propagation of Action Potentials01:23

Propagation of Action Potentials

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The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
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Tracking individual action potentials throughout mammalian axonal arbors.

Milos Radivojevic1, Felix Franke1, Michael Altermatt1

  • 1Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland.

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|October 10, 2017
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Summary

Researchers developed a new method to directly record action potential (AP) conduction in axons. Cortical axons transmit APs with high precision and reliability, though high-frequency stimulation impacts timing.

Keywords:
HD-MEAaxonal physiologyelectrode-neuron interfaceneurosciencerat

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Electrophysiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Axons transmit electrical signals (action potentials, APs) crucial for brain function.
  • Directly measuring APs in small-diameter axons is technically challenging.
  • Existing knowledge relies heavily on models and indirect measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a noninvasive method for direct, high-resolution recording of individual APs in axonal arbors.
  • To precisely quantify the temporal precision and reliability of axonal AP conduction.
  • To investigate the effects of high-frequency stimulation on AP conduction characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a high-density microelectrode array (hundreds of electrodes) for noninvasive recording.
  • Achieved microsecond temporal resolution to capture individual APs.
  • Recorded APs along millimeter-length axonal arbors in cortical cultures.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated direct, noninvasive recording of single APs in cortical axons.
  • Found high temporal precision (~100 µs jitter per mm) and reliability (no observed failures in >8 million APs).
  • Observed decreased AP speed and precision under 100 Hz stimulation (20% and 12% reduction for the 100th AP).

Conclusions:

  • The developed method enables direct, high-fidelity measurement of axonal AP conduction.
  • Cortical axons exhibit remarkable precision and reliability in AP transmission under normal conditions.
  • Sustained high-frequency activity can degrade axonal conduction timing and precision.