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Modeling the response of small myelinated and unmyelinated axons to kilohertz frequency signals

Publication ,  Conference
Pelot, NA; Behrend, CE; Grill, WM
Published in: International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER
July 1, 2015

The effects of kilohertz frequency signals on action potential conduction in small myelinated (1 to 5.7 μm diameter) and unmyelinated axons are poorly understood, but could have important therapeutic applications. We developed a finite element model of a compound peripheral nerve and quantified the effects of a 5 kHz signal delivered via cuff electrode on conduction in small myelinated and unmyelinated axons. We compared the results from this realistic model to responses to the same signal delivered by an extracellular point source in a homogeneous isotropic extracellular medium. Using typical clinical parameters, the primary effect of the 5 kHz signal was excitation of the 5.7 μm diameter myelinated fibers in both models. The unmyelinated fibers were mostly unaffected by the applied signal. Axonal conduction block occurred only for certain parameter sets in the 5.7 μm diameter myelinated fibers. Our model reveals the complexity of possible responses to kilohertz frequency signals, and suggests that mechanisms of therapeutic efficacy other than conduction block need to be considered. A better understanding of the effects of kilohertz frequency signals is needed to inform clinical parameter selection for electrical devices targeting conduction block in small fibers.

Duke Scholars

Published In

International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER

DOI

EISSN

1948-3554

ISSN

1948-3546

ISBN

9781467363891

Publication Date

July 1, 2015

Volume

2015-July

Start / End Page

406 / 409
 

Citation

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Pelot, N. A., Behrend, C. E., & Grill, W. M. (2015). Modeling the response of small myelinated and unmyelinated axons to kilohertz frequency signals. In International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER (Vol. 2015-July, pp. 406–409). https://doi.org/10.1109/NER.2015.7146645
Pelot, N. A., C. E. Behrend, and W. M. Grill. “Modeling the response of small myelinated and unmyelinated axons to kilohertz frequency signals.” In International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER, 2015-July:406–9, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1109/NER.2015.7146645.
Pelot NA, Behrend CE, Grill WM. Modeling the response of small myelinated and unmyelinated axons to kilohertz frequency signals. In: International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER. 2015. p. 406–9.
Pelot, N. A., et al. “Modeling the response of small myelinated and unmyelinated axons to kilohertz frequency signals.” International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER, vol. 2015-July, 2015, pp. 406–09. Scopus, doi:10.1109/NER.2015.7146645.
Pelot NA, Behrend CE, Grill WM. Modeling the response of small myelinated and unmyelinated axons to kilohertz frequency signals. International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER. 2015. p. 406–409.

Published In

International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER

DOI

EISSN

1948-3554

ISSN

1948-3546

ISBN

9781467363891

Publication Date

July 1, 2015

Volume

2015-July

Start / End Page

406 / 409