Axon Physiology

The soma is where information from dendrites ultimately combines to affect action potential output.

However, once the action potential leaves the soma it begins a journey traveling along the axon where the biophysics is very different. Action potentials immediately change shape in the axon, a property that determines neurotransmitter release. What are the channels that determine the action potential shape? How do these channels affect other properties like conduction velocity, propagation fidelity, and even axonal metabolism? How do information inputs interact with this unique biophysics to determine neuronal output?

We use direct recordings of axonal voltage with functional imaging to answer these questions.