Ferroelectric model for the generation and propagation of an action potential and its magnetic field stimulation

Action potential generation and propagation in axon membranes are discussed in the framework of the concept of a ferroelectric first-order phase transition. The model modifies Leuchtag's hypothesis of the ferroelectric origin of the gating mechanism in sodium ion channels. The propagation of the action potential represents the polarization kink-soliton describing the motion of the interphase boundary between closed and open gate states associated with different values of polarization. We show that the measured value of the action potential velocity in a squid axon and its temperature dependence can be obtained using typical values of protein relaxation times, channel densities and dielectric quantities as theory parameters. We discuss also the effect of magnetic field on stimulation and propagation of nerve impulse.