Estimating axon conduction velocity in vivo from microstructural MRI. 2019

Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom. Electronic address: drakesmithm@cardiff.ac.uk.

The conduction velocity (CV) of action potentials along axons is a key neurophysiological property central to neural communication. The ability to estimate CV in humans in vivo from non-invasive MRI methods would therefore represent a significant advance in neuroscience. However, there are two major challenges that this paper aims to address: (1) Much of the complexity of the neurophysiology of action potentials cannot be captured with currently available MRI techniques. Therefore, we seek to establish the variability in CV that can be captured when predicting CV purely from parameters that have been reported to be estimatable from MRI: inner axon diameter (AD) and g-ratio. (2) errors inherent in existing MRI-based biophysical models of tissue will propagate through to estimates of CV, the extent to which is currently unknown. Issue (1) is investigated by performing a sensitivity analysis on a comprehensive model of axon electrophysiology and determining the relative sensitivity to various morphological and electrical parameters. The investigations suggest that 85% of the variance in CV is accounted for by variation in AD and g-ratio. The observed dependency of CV on AD and g-ratio is well characterised by the previously reported model by Rushton. Issue (2) is investigated through simulation of diffusion and relaxometry MRI data for a range of axon morphologies, applying models of restricted diffusion and relaxation processes to derive estimates of axon volume fraction (AVF), AD and g-ratio and estimating CV from the derived parameters. The results show that errors in the AVF have the biggest detrimental impact on estimates of CV, particularly for sparse fibre populations (AVF<0.3). For our equipment set-up and acquisition protocol, CV estimates are most accurate (below 5% error) where AVF is above 0.3, g-ratio is between 0.6 and 0.85 and AD is high (above 4μm). CV estimates are robust to errors in g-ratio estimation but are highly sensitive to errors in AD estimation, particularly where ADs are small. We additionally show CV estimates in human corpus callosum in a small number of subjects. In conclusion, we demonstrate accurate CV estimates are possible in regions of the brain where AD is sufficiently large. Problems with estimating ADs for smaller axons presents a problem for estimating CV across the whole CNS and should be the focus of further study.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008959 Models, Neurological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Neurologic Models,Model, Neurological,Neurologic Model,Neurological Model,Neurological Models,Model, Neurologic,Models, Neurologic
D009431 Neural Conduction The propagation of the NERVE IMPULSE along the nerve away from the site of an excitation stimulus. Nerve Conduction,Conduction, Nerve,Conduction, Neural,Conductions, Nerve,Conductions, Neural,Nerve Conductions,Neural Conductions
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D003337 Corpus Callosum Broad plate of dense myelinated fibers that reciprocally interconnect regions of the cortex in all lobes with corresponding regions of the opposite hemisphere. The corpus callosum is located deep in the longitudinal fissure. Interhemispheric Commissure,Neocortical Commissure,Callosum, Corpus,Callosums, Corpus,Commissure, Interhemispheric,Commissure, Neocortical,Commissures, Interhemispheric,Commissures, Neocortical,Corpus Callosums,Interhemispheric Commissures,Neocortical Commissures
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001369 Axons Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body. Axon

Related Publications

Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
January 2015, Brain structure & function,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
July 2004, Medical & biological engineering & computing,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
January 1977, Nature,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
April 1975, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
November 2021, Brain structure & function,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
November 1983, The Journal of physiology,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
May 2005, Muscle & nerve,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
December 1981, Neuroscience letters,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
December 1976, The Journal of comparative neurology,
Mark Drakesmith, and Robbert Harms, and Suryanarayana Umesh Rudrapatna, and Greg D Parker, and C John Evans, and Derek K Jones
April 1983, International journal of cardiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!