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Related Concept Videos

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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.
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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.
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Axons are long, cytoplasmic processes of nerve cells capable of propagating electrical impulses known as action potentials. The cytoplasm or axoplasm of an axon contains neurofibrils, neurotubules, small vesicles, lysosomes, mitochondria, and various enzymes, all encased within the axolemma, the plasma membrane of the axon.
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Nodal Na<sup>+</sup> and Ca<sup>2+</sup> flux dynamics in cortical myelinated axons.

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Measuring Action Potential Propagation Velocity in Murine Cortical Axons.

Oron Kotler1, Yana Khrapunsky1, Ilya Fleidervish1

  • 1Dept. of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Zelman Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel.

Bio-Protocol
|November 16, 2023
PubMed
Summary

This study details a method to measure action potential (AP) propagation velocity in axons using dual recordings. This technique precisely identifies the AP initiation zone and quantifies forward and backward propagation speeds.

Keywords:
Action currentAction potentialBackpropagationLoose patchNeocortexPropagation velocityPyramidal neuronTrigger zoneWhole-cell recording

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Electrophysiology
  • Axonal Transport

Background:

  • Understanding action potential (AP) propagation is crucial for neuronal computation.
  • Accurate measurement of AP velocity in axons is essential for this understanding.
  • Existing methods may lack precision in identifying initiation zones and bidirectional velocities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a protocol for measuring AP propagation velocity in axons within brain slice preparations.
  • To precisely determine the AP initiation zone and quantify forward and backward propagation velocities.
  • To provide a robust method for analyzing axonal electrophysiology.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing combined somatic whole-cell and axonal loose patch recordings in brain slices.
  • Targeting fluorescent dye-filled axons under direct optical control.
  • Analyzing ensemble averages of somatic APs and axonal action currents across multiple locations.
  • Plotting propagation delays against distance to identify the initiation zone and calculate velocities.

Main Results:

  • The protocol successfully measures AP propagation delays from the soma to multiple axonal sites.
  • Plotting delays versus distance reveals the AP initiation zone based on maximal delay.
  • Linear fitting of delay data allows for the calculation of both forward and backward AP propagation velocities.
  • Ensemble averaging of 500-600 sweeps enhances signal-to-noise ratio for accurate measurements.

Conclusions:

  • This dual recording method provides a precise way to measure AP propagation velocity in axons.
  • The technique effectively identifies the AP initiation site and quantifies bidirectional propagation speeds.
  • This protocol offers a valuable tool for studying neuronal computation and axonal function.