Axonal Conduction Velocity Impacts Neuronal Network Oscillations

Increasing experimental evidence suggests that axonal action potential conduction velocity is a highly adaptive parameter in the adult central nervous system. Yet, the effects of this newfound plasticity on global brain dynamics is poorly understood. In this work, we analyzed oscillations in biologically plausible neuronal networks with different conduction velocity distributions. Variation of 1-2 ms in average conduction velocity resulted in network oscillation frequency changes of 0-120 Hz. Our results suggest that changes in axonal conduction velocity may significantly affect both the frequency and synchrony of brain rhythms, which have well established connections to learning, memory, and other cognitive processes.