Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-22-2020

Publication Title

Scientific Reports

Volume

10

Publisher Name

Springer Nature

Abstract

Numerous neurological dysfunctions are characterized by undesirable nerve activity. By providing reversible nerve blockage, electric stimulation with an implanted electrode holds promise in the treatment of these conditions. However, there are several limitations to its application, including poor bio-compatibility and decreased efficacy during chronic implantation. A magnetic coil of miniature size can mitigate some of these problems, by coating it with biocompatible material for chronic implantation. However, it is unknown if miniature coils could be effective in axonal blockage and, if so, what the underlying mechanisms are. Here we demonstrate that a submillimeter magnetic coil can reversibly block action potentials in the unmyelinated axons from the marine mollusk Aplysia californica. Using a multi-compartment model of the Aplysia axon, we demonstrate that the miniature coil causes a significant local depolarization in the axon, alters activation dynamics of the sodium channels, and prevents the traveling of the invading action potentials. With improved biocompatibility and capability of emitting high-frequency stimuli, micro coils provide an interesting alternative for electric blockage of axonal conductance in clinical settings.

Comments

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2020. The definitive version was published in Scientific Reports, Volume 10, Article 18030, 22 October 2020.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74891-3

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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