On repetitive activity in nerve

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Theoretical results for repetitive activity characteristics of the space and current-clamped Hodgkin-Huxley equations are reviewed and extended. Mathematical solutions are related to stimulus-response curves of steady (adapted) temporal frequency ω versus strength I of a depolarizing current step. These correspond to stable time-periodic solutions and are found for I(nu)<I<I2. We find additional periodic solutions for I(nu)<I<I1, where I1<I2, which are unstable. Existence of such solutions and their instability was previously conjectured by other investigators. We compute periodic solutions by a numerical method outlined here, which is insensitive to the stability of the solution. The equations also have a unique steady-state solution for all I. It is unstable for I1<I<I2 and stable otherwise. These different solution branches are each represented on solution amplitude versus I and ω versus I curves to illustrate a complete and consistent picture of the solution structure. Temperature dependence of these features and the critical current values is determined. Because there are two stable states, a repetitive one and a steady one, for I(nu)<I<I1 the model exhibits hysteresis. Experimental implications are discussed. For small current steps the model shows oscillations of frequency ω which damp to a steady state. We illustrate how a systemic scaling and perturbation procedure leads to a reduced two-variable, V-n, model from which ω, I1, and their temperature dependence may be estimated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2793-2802
Number of pages10
JournalFederation Proceedings
Volume37
Issue number14
StatePublished - 1978

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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