Simulation of the conduction velocity properties of nerve fibres by an electrical model.

The paper presents a simple electrical circuit model from which the relationship between the diameter of the axon and its conduction velocity can be derived. The model is primarily intended for the larger myelinated fibres in peripheral nerves. However, a simplified model is also shown for nonmyelinated fibres, where the relationship is quite different. In the conclusion some qualitative considerations are presented for thin myelinated fibres with a slow velocity of conduction. The conduction velocity/diameter relationship of these fibres gradually approaches that for nonmyelinated fibres with decreasing diameter.