Power-law for axon diameters at branch point

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Axon calibers vary widely among different animals, neuron classes, and even within the same neuron. What determines the diameter of axon branches?</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We pursue the hypothesis that the axon caliber has evolved to minimize signal propagation delays, while keeping arbor volume to a minimum. For a general cost function, we show that the optimal diameters of mother and daughter branches at a bifurcation satisfy a power law. The derivation relies on the fact that the axon conduction speed scales as a power of axon diameter. Although available data are consistent with the law, there is a large spread in the data. Future experimental tests will determine whether this spread is due to biological variability or measurement error.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Minimization of arbor volume and signal propagation delay may have been an important factor in the evolution of the brain.</p>

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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