An Electro-Mechanical Model of the Axon

Recent research into the electro-chemical effects of neural damage have provided evidence for interactions between deformations of the axonal membrane and the flow of charges thru its ion channels. Furthermore, traveling mechanical membrane waves in the axon have been shown to accompany the action potential. It seems possible that a more complete understanding of the true phenomena governing the transmission of an electric signal along a myelinated axon must incorporate more than just the electro-chemical mechanisms. We report simulation of signal transport in neural axons incorporating both electro-chemical and mechanical strain-related membrane deformations. Myelinated axons under normal and abnormal stressed conditions are compared. The results are used to investigate interdependencies between strain-related membrane deformations and electrical signals along the membrane. We model electro-mechanical behavior due to cell damage, disease, and abnormal ionic concentrations around the cell. We hope that making explicit the interdependencies between mechanical waves and electrical signals within the axon will prove useful to further biophysical research.