Electromagnetic induction between axons and their Schwann cell myelin-protein sheaths.

Goodman, G.; Bercovich, D.

Two concepts have long dominated vertebrate nerve electrophysiology: (a) Schwann cell-formed myelin sheaths separated by minute non-myelinated nodal gaps and spiraling around axons of peripheral motor nerves reduce current leakage during propagation of trains of axon action potentials; (b) "jumping" by action potentials between successive nodes greatly increases signal conduction velocity. Long-held and more recent assumptions and issues underlying those concepts have been obscured by research emphasis on axon-sheath biochemical symbiosis and nerve regeneration. We hypothesize: mutual electromagnetic induction in the axon-glial sheath association, is fundamental in signal conduction in peripheral and central myelinated axons, explains the g-ratio and is relevant to animal navigation.

ELECTROMAGNETIC induction; ELECTRIC inductance; AXONS; NEURONS; SCHWANN cells; MYELIN proteins

Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, 2013, Vol 12, Issue 4, p475

0219-6352

Academic Journal

10.1142/S0219635213500295