Temperature changes accompanying signal propagation in axons

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper mathematical models are formulated in order to simulate heat production and corresponding temperature changes which accompany the propagation of an action potential. Based on earlier experimental results, several models are proposed. Together with the earlier system of coupled differential equations derived by the authors for describing the electrical and mechanical components of signaling in nerve fibers, the novel results permit to cast the whole process of signaling into one system. The emphasis is on the mathematical description of coupling forces. The numerical results are qualitatively similar to experiments.