Axonal Conduction Velocity Impacts Neuronal Network Oscillations

TL;DR

This study investigates how variations in axonal conduction velocity influence neuronal network oscillations, revealing that small changes can significantly alter oscillation frequency and synchrony, impacting cognitive functions.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of how axonal conduction velocity plasticity affects global brain dynamics and oscillatory behavior in realistic neuronal networks.

Findings

Network oscillation frequency varies with conduction velocity changes.

Small conduction velocity changes cause large shifts in oscillation frequency.

Conduction velocity influences brain rhythm synchrony and potentially cognition.

Abstract

Increasing experimental evidence suggests that axonal action potential conduction velocity is a highly adaptive parameter in the adult central nervous system. Yet, the effects of this newfound plasticity on global brain dynamics is poorly understood. In this work, we analyzed oscillations in biologically plausible neuronal networks with different conduction velocity distributions. Changes of 1-2 (ms) in network mean signal transmission time resulted in substantial network oscillation frequency changes ranging in 0-120 (Hz). Our results suggest that changes in axonal conduction velocity may significantly affect both the frequency and synchrony of brain rhythms, which have well established connections to learning, memory, and other cognitive processes.