Conduction block induced by high frequency AC stimulation in unmyelinated nerves

The potential neurophysiological applications of high frequency AC stimulation (HFAC) in blocking conduction has led to a series of experimental and modeling studies analyzing the effect of HFAC conduction block on mixed nerves. However, many of these computational studies have been based on axon mo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joseph, L., Haeffele, B.D., Butera, R.J.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomembranes
Capacitance measurement
Electric variables measurement
Electrodes
Frequency measurement
Frequency response
Measurement standards
Nerve fibers
Predictive models
Shape
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The potential neurophysiological applications of high frequency AC stimulation (HFAC) in blocking conduction has led to a series of experimental and modeling studies analyzing the effect of HFAC conduction block on mixed nerves. However, many of these computational studies have been based on axon models that are perhaps not valid for the nerves under study. The isolated response of unmyelinated nerves to HFAC has also not been previously studied. In this study, 5-50 kHz sinusoidal HFAC stimulation waveforms were used to reversibly block conduction through the unmyelinated nerve fibers of Aplysia. Unlike myelinated nerves, the minimum HFAC amplitude for blocking conduction in these nerves showed a non-monotonic behavior with frequency. The Hodgkin-Huxley model did not accurately predict the experimentally observed trends but modifying the model to incorporate a frequency-dependent membrane capacitance resulted in a significant change in the high frequency response of the model while still preserving the standard characteristics of action potential propagation.
ISSN:1094-687X
1558-4615
DOI:10.1109/IEMBS.2007.4352641