Conduction Velocity in Nerve Exposed to a High Magnetic Field

Book excerpt: Action potentials were recorded at four positions from frog sciatic nerves exposed to a constant magnetic field of 11.6 kilo-oersted. External electrodes arranged in pairs on segments of nerve oriented both parallel and perpendicular to the field permitted conduction velocity measurements to be expressed as a function of field orientation. An increase in conduction velocity was observed to be orientation dependent as was a latent period in its appearance. An aftereffect was noted that persisted to the end of the experiments. Possible mechanisms of action of the field are discussed in terms of current theories of impulse propagation. (Author).