Modeling the effect of an external electric field on the velocity of spike propagation in a nerve fiber.

Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics · 1999 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 4015

Study snapshot

PublicationPhysical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics · 1999

Study typeother

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

The effect of an externally generated electric field on the propagation of action potentials is modeled, assuming the Hodgkin-Huxley equation for the voltage-dependent conductance of the membrane of a nerve fiber. With some simplifying assumptions, this conductance together with Maxwell's equations leads to the Hodgkin-Huxley differential equations for propagation, modified by a term proportional to the gradient of the externally generated electric field component along the nerve fiber. Computer solution of these equations shows the influence of an electric field gradient on propagation velocity. When the electric field oscillates, voltage spikes starting later along a given axon advance or lag relative to earlier spikes, so the time between spikes at the receiving end differs from the time between spike originations. The amount that a low-frequency electric field modulates pulse timing at the end of a fiber relative to that at the beginning is estimated under several conditions.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

A Hodgkin-Huxley-based model modified by a term proportional to the gradient of an externally generated electric field component along the nerve fiber predicts that an electric field gradient can influence action potential propagation velocity. For oscillating fields, later spikes along an axon can advance or lag relative to earlier spikes, altering inter-spike timing at the receiving end compared with the originating end; the magnitude of low-frequency field modulation of pulse timing is estimated under several conditions.

Outcomes measured

action potential propagation velocity
spike timing/pulse interval modulation

Limitations

Modeling/computer-simulation study; no empirical exposure measurements or biological experiments described in the abstract.
Field characteristics (e.g., amplitude, exact frequency values) are not specified in the abstract.
Simplifying assumptions are noted but not detailed in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "action potential propagation velocity",
    "spike timing/pulse interval modulation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A Hodgkin-Huxley-based model modified by a term proportional to the gradient of an externally generated electric field component along the nerve fiber predicts that an electric field gradient can influence action potential propagation velocity. For oscillating fields, later spikes along an axon can advance or lag relative to earlier spikes, altering inter-spike timing at the receiving end compared with the originating end; the magnitude of low-frequency field modulation of pulse timing is estimated under several conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Modeling/computer-simulation study; no empirical exposure measurements or biological experiments described in the abstract.",
    "Field characteristics (e.g., amplitude, exact frequency values) are not specified in the abstract.",
    "Simplifying assumptions are noted but not detailed in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "external electric field",
    "electric field gradient",
    "Hodgkin-Huxley",
    "Maxwell's equations",
    "nerve fiber",
    "action potential",
    "propagation velocity",
    "spike timing",
    "low-frequency electric field",
    "computational model"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1103/physreve.60.5918
PubMed: 11970493

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