A Simplified Theory Unifying Electroporation and Action Potential Propagation

• Published in: 2020 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science (ICOPS) p. 583
• Main Authors: Loveless, Amanda M., Ramos, Richard R., DeWitt, Matthew R., Garner, Allen L.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 06.12.2020
• Subjects: Action potentials; In vivo; Ions; Mathematical models; Membrane potentials; Pain; Shunts (electrical)
• DOI: 10.1109/ICOPS37625.2020.9717762

The Hodgkin-Huxley equations (HHE) 1 assess membrane current and its impact on conduction and excitation in nerves for action potential initiation and propagation through a set of nonlinear different equations that consider the ion channels as parallel voltage-dependent conductors. Intense electric pulses (EPs) create membrane pores create an additional, parallel, cell membrane potential-dependent shunt conductance that can arrest the action potential 2 . Self-consistent theories relate the applied EP conditions, transmembrane potential, and resulting cell membrane pore formation 2 ; however, we seek to develop a rapid screening tool to guide parameter selection for in vivo studies using an external pulsed magnetic field (PMFs) to arrest action potentials for pain relief. To enhance computational efficiency, we assess a semi-empirical approach for calculating EP-induced transmembrane conductivity due to pore formation 3 and link this to the HHE. We report the impact of EP conditions on the wave and chaos behavior of the HHE and potential therapeutic and security applications. Finally, we discuss the coupling of this model with the transmembrane potential induced by a PMF 4 and the process for translating an externally applied PMF to an internal change in action potential.