Summary
Sensory conduction velocities of normal subjects are increasing linearly with rising temperature. The duration of the compound sensory action potentials recorded from the median nerve at the wrist and elbow shows a negative temperature coefficient. The peak-to-peak amplitude of these potentials increases from 22° to approximately 26°C and then decreases progressively again up to 36°C. It is believed that this behavior is due to a combination of decreasing temporal dispersion, height and duration of the individual spike potentials.
Zusammenfassung
Die sensorische Leitgeschwindigkeit steigt mit zunehmender Temperatur linear an. Die Dauer der sensiblen Nervenaktionspotentiale vom N. medianus nimmt dagegen ab wenn die Temperatur höher wird. Die Amplitude dieser Potentiale nimmt zwischen 22° und zirka 26°C zu und dann kommt es wieder zu einem langsamen Abfall. Dieses Verhalten ist wahrscheinlich bedingt durch ein Zusammenspiel der abnehmenden zeitlichen Dispersion und der kleiner werdenden Dauer und Höhe der einzelnen Spitzenpotentiale.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Buchthal, F., Rosenfalck, A.: Evoked action potentials and conduction velocity in human sensory nerves. Brain Research 3, 1–122 (1966)
Burger, H. C., van Dongen, R.: Specific electrical resistance of body tissues. Physics in Medicine and Biology 5, 431–447 (1961)
Davis, F. A., Schauf, C. L., Reed, B. J., Kesler, R. L.: Experimental studies of the effects of extrinsic factors on conduction in normal and demyelinated nerve. 1. Temperature. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat. 39, 442–448 (1976)
Gasser, H. S.: Nerve activity as modified by temperature changes. Amer. J. Physiol. 97, 254–270 (1931)
Hodgkin, A. L., Huxley, A. F.: A quantitative description of membrane current and its application to conduction and excitation in nerve. J. Physiol. (London) 117, 500–544 (1952)
Hodgkin, A. L., Katz, B.: The effect of temperature on the electrical activity of the giant axon of the squid. J. Physiol. (London) 109, 240–249 (1949)
Huxley, A. F.: Ion movements during nerve activity. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 81, 221–246 (1959)
Rasminsky, M.: The effect of temperature on conduction in demyelinated single nerve fibres. Arch. Neurol. (Chicago) 28, 287–292 (1973)
Rosenfalck, P.: Intra- and extracellular potential fields of active nerve and muscle fibres. Acta physiol. scand. 75, Suppl. 321, 1–168 (1969)
Schauf, C. L., Davis, F. A.: Impulse conduction in multiple sclerosis: a theoretical basis for modification by temperature and pharmacological agents. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat. 37, 152–161 (1974)
Tasaki, I., Fujita, M.: Action currents of single nerve fibers as modified by temperature changes. J. Neurophysiol. 11, 311–315 (1948)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Dedicated to Prof. F. Buchthal on the occasion of his 70th birthday
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ludin, H.P., Beyeler, F. Temperature dependence of normal sensory nerve action potentials. J. Neurol. 216, 173–180 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00313618
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00313618