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Related Experiment Videos

Changes in axon birefringence during the action potential.

L B Cohen, B Hille, R D Keynes

    The Journal of Physiology
    |December 1, 1970
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Researchers observed optical retardation changes during nerve impulses in crab leg nerves and squid giant axons. These optical changes closely mirrored the electrical action potential across the nerve membrane.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Biophysics
    • Optical Physics

    Background:

    • Nerve impulses involve complex biophysical and electrical changes.
    • Optical methods offer a non-invasive way to study these dynamic processes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate changes in optical retardation during nerve impulse propagation.
    • To correlate optical changes with electrical activity in nerve axons.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized a polarizing microscope to observe crab leg nerves and squid giant axons.
    • Measured temporary decreases in light intensity during nerve impulses.
    • Employed signal-averaging techniques to enhance signal-to-noise ratio.

    Main Results:

    • Observed temporary light intensity decreases (1 part in 10^3-10^6) during nerve impulses.

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  • Attributed these changes primarily to optical retardation alterations, excluding other optical effects and artifacts.
  • Localized retardation changes to a cylinder surrounding the axoplasm with a radial optic axis in squid giant axons.
  • Found the time course of retardation decrease closely matched the action potential.

    • Conclusions:

    • Optical retardation changes are a direct consequence of nerve impulse propagation.
    • The observed optical retardation changes closely follow the electrical potential across the nerve membrane.
    • This technique provides a sensitive optical correlate of nerve electrical activity.