Finite element modeling of current stimulating response on the nerve axon
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Abstract:
To investigate the characteristics of microphysiological electrical conduction on nerve cell axon, numerical simulation for the dynamic responses of neuronal axon to electrical stimulation is conducted on a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model. A 3D geometrical model for a segment of a hippocampal neuron axon is developed and assigned biophysical parameters, then the stimulation pulses of various amplitude and duration are imparted on the FE model of neuronal axon. The combination of Hodgkin-Huxley equations and Maxwell equations are performed to get action potential curve and 3D distribution of electric potential. The simulating results show that the resting potential of nerve axon is -65 mV and no action potential occurred under the stimuli of 2 ms duration and 0.01 A/m 2 current intensity, whereas the stimuli of (2 ms, 0.2 A/m 2), (20 ms, 0.01 A/m 2) and (20 ms, 0.2 A/m 2) induced action potentials, and the time arrived at the peak value are 0.012 s, 0.017 s and 0.012 s, respectively. The range of action potential is 100 mV and duration is 2 ms. The simulation results agree well with that of the experiment, which indicates that both the FE model of neuronal axon and the simulation analysis method are reliable and may contribute to further study on neural electrophysiology.
