On the Physical Background of Nerve Pulse Propagation: Heat and Energy

Abstract

Abstract Recent studies have revealed the complex structure of nerve signals in axons. Besides the electrical signal, mechanical and thermal effects are also detected in many experimental studies. In this paper, the mathematical models of heat generation are analysed within the framework of a general model derived earlier by the authors. The main mechanisms of heat generation are seemingly Joule heating and endo- and exothermic reactions. The concept of internal variables permits to model the heat relaxation typical to these reactions. The general energy balance of the whole signal is analysed based on physical mechanisms responsible for emerging the components of a signal which constitutes a wave ensemble. The novelty of this study is in describing the energy for all the components of the wave ensemble. Some open questions are listed for further studies.