If nerve conduction is bidirectional, how does it work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms of nerve conduction, particularly focusing on bidirectional conduction in axons and the factors that limit this process, such as the presence of neurotransmitters and calcium channels. Participants explore both theoretical and conceptual aspects of action potentials (APs) and their propagation in neurons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that when stimulated in the middle of an axon, nerve conduction is bidirectional and questions why antidromic conduction stops at the first synapse, suggesting the absence of neurotransmitters and calcium channels in the neuron's body as a reason.
  • Another participant corrects the term "andromic" to "antidromic" and argues that even if neurotransmitters were present, antidromic conduction would not function due to the lack of channel-receptors on the antidromic axon, although they mention the possibility of electrical synapses facilitating some conduction.
  • A third participant discusses the self-limiting nature of channel opening, explaining that once channels activate and close, depolarization can only spread to the next unactivated channel, preventing backward conduction due to the refractory period of previously activated channels.
  • A fourth participant expresses confusion about the original question, seeking clarification on whether the inquiry pertains to why an orthodromic AP cannot become antidromic or why antidromic APs stop when returning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the mechanisms and limitations of antidromic conduction, with no consensus reached on the underlying reasons for the observed phenomena.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding assumptions about the presence of neurotransmitters and calcium channels, as well as the specific conditions under which antidromic conduction may occur.

sameeralord
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When stimulated in the middle of axon, nerve conduction is bidirectioal. Now I know the andromic conduction stops at the first synapse. Is the reason for this, that there are no neurotransmitters in the body of a neuron, and more importantly no calcium channels there to activte them. Thanks :smile:
 
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sameeralord said:
When stimulated in the middle of axon, nerve conduction is bidirectioal. Now I know the andromic conduction stops at the first synapse. Is the reason for this, that there are no neurotransmitters in the body of a neuron, and more importantly no calcium channels there to activte them. Thanks :smile:

I assume you mean antidromic. Yeah. But even if there was that would not be supposed to work as there is no channel-receptors on the antidromic axon. However, the antidromic conduction could pass through http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_synapse" in case some were on the neurons you stimulated.
 
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Again - it is the self limiting nature of the channel opening. Once the channels activate transiently then they then automatically close - this confers a natural direction to the spread of depolarization, i.e. a potential can only travel to the next unactivated channel - but not back in the direction it came because those channels are still closed in their refractory period.
 
It seems we don't understood the question the same way. Sameeralord, are you asking for why an orthodromic AP can't became antidromic or are you asking for why an antidromic APs stop when back? The former -see mtc1973 answer, the latter -see mine.
 

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