About This Simulation
The Action Potential Architect is an interactive educational tool designed to demystify the complex process of neural signaling. It allows you to manipulate key parameters of a neuron and instantly visualize their impact on the action potential, the fundamental electrical signal that drives our nervous system.
How to Use
- Adjust Parameters: Use the sliders in the "Neuron Parameters" panel to change the axon's diameter, myelination level, and the density of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ion channels.
- Stimulate: Click the "Stimulate" button to fire an action potential with your current settings and see the results on the graph.
- Scenarios: Explore pre-configured setups like a "Dysfunctional" neuron or a model for "Multiple Sclerosis" to understand pathological states.
- Challenges: Test your knowledge by selecting a challenge. Try to adjust the parameters to meet the specific goal, like fixing a non-firing neuron or maximizing its speed.
- Analyze Metrics: After each simulation, check the metrics below the graph to quantify the neuron's performance, including conduction velocity, peak voltage, signal fidelity, and energy cost.
This tool works with mouse, touch, and keyboard controls for full accessibility.
Future Directions
We are continuously working to enhance this simulation. Future updates may include more detailed ion channel kinetics (Hodgkin-Huxley model), the effects of different neurotransmitters and drugs, and network-level simulations with multiple interconnected neurons.