Axon swelling is electrophysiologically disruptive: A theoretically confirmed hypothesis

We have theoretically studied the effect of swelling of axons on the electrophysiological properties of action potential propagation. The modified cable equation is solved numerically by considering the deformation and abnormalities in the axon's geometry. The result shows that the broadening of action potential pulses, amplitudes and the latency of the action potential are all affected. The extent of influence depends on the morphology and structure of the swell. In some geometry, the swell structure leads to irregularity in the shape of the action potential and steep variations in the transmembrane potential.