[Theoretical analysis of direct current field-induced polarization of ohmic neurons]

Abstract

A theory for the DC field-induced polarization of arbitrarily branching dendrites is being suggested. Contributions of the dendrites and the axon to polarisation of the soma are estimated for a quasi-reconstructed turtle motoneuron. The polarization depends on the length constant monotonously and dose not depend on other electronic parameters. The measurement of the DC field-induced potential may be used for unique determination of the electrotonic structure of reconstructed cells, provided that a whole-cell recording is employed and the axons are unmyelinated, or truncated, or oriented across the field. Polarization of the distal dendrites is also being analyzed to get into insight into the phenomenon of the field-induced steady depolarization of the dendrites.