A dynamical system model of neurofilament transport in axons

J Theor Biol. 2005 Dec 7;237(3):316-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2005.04.018. Epub 2005 Jun 21.

Abstract

We develop a dynamical system model for the transport of neurofilaments in axons, inspired by Brown's "stop-and-go" model for slow axonal transport. We use fast/slow time-scale arguments to lower the number of relevant parameters in our model. Then, we use experimental data of Wang and Brown to estimate all but one parameter. We show that we can choose this last remaining parameter such that the results of our model agree with pulse-labeling experiments from three different nerve cell types, and also agree with stochastic simulation results.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axonal Transport / physiology*
  • Axons / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Neurofilament Proteins / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Neurofilament Proteins