Differential conduction at bifurcations in nonmyelinated axons

The aim of this study has been to obtain insight into how single neurons can achieve signal processing functions through frequency-dependent differential conduction of action potentials at axonal bifurcations. Numerical modeling of membrane and cable properties was used to help interpret differential conduction observed experimentally. With uniform membrane and cable properties, frequency-dependent differential conduction never occurred. With nonuniform membrane properties, frequency-dependent differential conduction occurred because of conduction failures along the disadvantaged daughter branch. In contrast, unequal daughter branch lengths and increased axial resistivity produced frequency-dependent differential conduction that occurred at the bifurcation, as is observed experimentally