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Biophysical Journal 14: 731-757 (1974)
© 1974 the Biophysical Society

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Changes of Action Potential Shape and Velocity for Changing Core Conductor Geometry

Steven S. Goldstein and Wilfrid Rall

ABSTRACT

The theoretical changes in shape and velocity of an action potential were computed in regions of changing core conductor geometry. Step decrease and step increase of diameter, branch points, and gradual taper or flare of diameter were studied. Results showed increase of both velocity and peak height as the action potential approaches a point of step decrease. A step increase causes decrease of both velocity and peak height with approach; propagation may either fail, succeed with brief delay, or, with longer delay, succeed in both forward and reverse directions. With branching, both the shape and the dimensionless velocity, {tau}{theta}/{lambda}, remain unchanged when the d3/2 values are matched. Without such matching, the changes of shape and dimensionless velocity of an action potential correspond to those found for step decrease or step increase of diameter. For regions of flare or taper, it was found (for a specific previously defined class) that velocity changed in proportion with the changing length constant. A simple formula was found to predict how this proportionality constant depends upon the amount of flare or taper.




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