The effects of cyclical simulation on the axon hillock diameter of murine intracortical neurons

TL;DR

This study investigates how cyclical electrical stimulation affects the water potential and diameter of the axon hillock in mouse neurons, revealing the roles of calcium flow and voltage conditions in these changes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining cyclical micro-electrode stimulation with numerical simulation to analyze axon hillock dynamics in neurons.

Findings

Axon hillock water potential fluctuates sinusoidally at high voltage.

Calcium flow influences amplitude and trend of water potential fluctuations.

Axon hillock diameter increases with calcium-free media and fluctuates with water potential.

Abstract

Changes to the axon hillock in frequently firing neurons are known to be important predictors of early disease states. Studying this phenomenon is critical to understanding the first insult implicated in multiple neuro-degenerative disorders. To study these changes we used cyclical stimulations using micro-electrodes to the axon hillock of mouse intracortical neurons. Numerical simulation results indicate that axon hillock water potential fluctuated sinusoidally on high voltage only. Fluctuations in the amplitude and trend were caused by calcium flow and storage resistance, respectively. The change in axon hillock-stored water was proportional to the change rate in water potential. Axon hillock diameter increased with fluctuations in calcium free media; moreover, it varied slightly under low voltage conditions. Changes in axon hillock diameter were caused by changes in water potential, which was determined by subcellular gated channels, media calcium potential, and other baseline characteristics of neurons.