Cable theory

In neuroscience, classical cable theory uses mathematical models to calculate the electric current (and accompanying voltage) along passive^[a] neurites, particularly the dendrites that receive synaptic inputs at different sites and times. Estimates are made by modeling dendrites and axons as cylinders composed of segments with capacitances ${\displaystyle c_{m}}$ and resistances ${\displaystyle r_{m}}$ combined in parallel (see Fig. 1). The capacitance of a neuronal fiber comes about because electrostatic forces are acting through the very thin lipid bilayer (see Figure 2). The resistance in series along the fiber ${\displaystyle r_{l}}$ is due to the axoplasm's significant resistance to movement of electric charge.

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