Event:

Since the first measurements of the action potential (AP) in neurons, there have been discussions over the presence of mechanical waves that propagate through neurons while it is conducting. Recently , there has been a renewed interest in characterizing the electro-mechanical nature of the AP . In this talk, I will present the current state of the art theoretical proposals that account for this effect, with a focus on El Hady-Machta’s Action waves model. I will then formulate a conceptual model that proposes physiological functions for those mechanical modes from modulating action potential speed to vesicle release. The advent of nanoscopy combined with fine grained electrophysiological recording will open up the opportunity to measure those mechanical modes accurately and study their functionalities.