Model of peripheral nerve with ephaptic coupling (Capllonch-Juan & Sepulveda 2020)

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Accession:263988
We built a computational model of a peripheral nerve trunk in which the interstitial space between the fibers and the tissues is modelled using a resistor network, thus enabling distance-dependent ephaptic coupling between myelinated axons and between fascicles as well. We used the model to simulate a) the stimulation of a nerve trunk model with a cuff electrode, and b) the propagation of action potentials along the axons. Results were used to investigate the effect of ephaptic interactions on recruitment and selectivity stemming from artificial (i.e., neural implant) stimulation and on the relative timing between action potentials during propagation.
Reference:
1 . Capllonch-Juan M, Sepulveda F (2020) Modelling the effects of ephaptic coupling on selectivity and response patterns during artificial stimulation of peripheral nerves. PLoS Comput Biol 16:e1007826 [PubMed]
Citations  Citation Browser
Model Information (Click on a link to find other models with that property)
Model Type: Extracellular; Axon;
Brain Region(s)/Organism:
Cell Type(s): Myelinated neuron;
Channel(s):
Gap Junctions:
Receptor(s):
Gene(s):
Transmitter(s):
Simulation Environment: NEURON; Python;
Model Concept(s): Ephaptic coupling; Stimulus selectivity;
Implementer(s):
/
publication_data
dataset_03__propagation
bundle_2_noEC
data
models
settings
src
x86_64
AXNODE.mod *
aaa_info_dataset
algebra.py *
analysis.py *
anatomy.py *
biophysics.py *
circlepacker.py *
contourhandler.py *
electrodes.py *
fill_nerve.py *
geometry.py *
get_extstim.py *
read_results.py *
sim_launcher.py *
simcontrol.py *
tessellations.py *
tools.py *
visualisation.py *
workspace.py *
                            
"""
This module contains the functions that set up a simulation
"""

import os
import sys
import numpy as np
import json
from neuron import h
from datetime import datetime
import time

import electrodes
import anatomy
import analysis as als
import biophysics as bio
import workspace as ws
import tools as tls



def get_paths():
	""" Get the paths to the different folders used by the code. 
	Note: In the future, I will prepare this function to get all the 
	paths in a recursive way. For now, the relevant sub-paths are hard-coded """

	# Dictionary with folders
	ws.folders = {}

	# Current Working Directory
	ws.folders["cwd"] = os.getcwd()

	# Get all the folders in cwd and sub-folders

	_, subdirs = tls.explore_folder(ws.folders["cwd"])

	# for item in os.listdir(ws.folders["cwd"]):
	# 	if os.path.isdir(item):
	for subdir in subdirs:

		# Add this folder
		path = os.path.join(ws.folders["cwd"], subdir)
		ws.folders[subdir] = path

		# Check if there's no more sub-folders here
		_, subsubdirs = tls.explore_folder(path)
		wholeend = len(subsubdirs) == 0

		# If it's not a 'whole end', dig on
		for ssd in subsubdirs:
			path = os.path.join(ws.folders["cwd"], subdir)
			# Do nothing for now
			# Later on, I'll finish this function

	# Hard-coded part: sub-folders
	ws.folders["data/load"] = os.path.join(ws.folders["data"], "load")
	ws.folders["data/saved"] = os.path.join(ws.folders["data"], "saved")
	ws.folders["data/results"] = os.path.join(ws.folders["data"], "results")
	ws.folders["src/hoc"] = os.path.join(ws.folders["cwd"], "src/hoc")

def create_log_file():
	""" Create a log file for the simulation """

	# Create the name
	ws.logfile = os.path.join(ws.folders["data"], "log.txt")

	# Create the file
	f = open(ws.logfile, "w")
	f.close()

def sanity_checks():
	""" Perform some checks to make sure that everything is defined 
	correctly and do whatever is necessary if not """

	# Using the Resistor Network model implies...
	if ws.settings["nerve model"] == "resistor network":

		# that there is ephaptic coupling
		if not ws.EC["presence"]:
			msg = "WARNING: Using the Resistor Network Model implies "\
				 + "the presence of ephaptic coupling\nEphaptic "\
				 + "coupling was activated"
			ws.log(msg)
			ws.EC["presence"] = True
			ws.EC["use"] = "resistor network"

		# that the stimulation forcing can't be "pre-computed"
		if ws.settings["stimulation"]["method"] == "pre-computed":
			msg = "ERROR: Using the Resistor Network Model implies "\
				 + "that the stimulation method can't be pre-computed\n"\
				 + "Please check your settings"
			ws.log(msg)
			ws.terminate()

def read_settings():
	""" Read all the settings from the json files """

	# General settings
	# Open json file containing the information about the chosen axon model
	file = os.path.join(ws.folders["settings"], "settings.json")
	with open(file, "r") as f:
		ws.settings = json.load(f)

	for k, v in ws.settings["ephaptic coupling"].items():
		try:
			ws.settings["ephaptic coupling"][k] = tls.str2bool(v)
		except TypeError:
			# It's probably a dictionary
			for kk, vv in v.items():
				ws.settings["ephaptic coupling"][k][kk] = tls.str2bool(vv)

	# Shortening for the settings for ephaptic coupling
	ws.EC = ws.settings["ephaptic coupling"]

	# String to bool for the rest of settings
	for k, v in ws.settings.items():
		try:
			v_is_str = "False" in v or "True" in v
		except TypeError:
			# Not a string, dictionary or list
			v_is_str = False

		# If it was a string, then parse it
		if v_is_str:
			ws.settings[k] = tls.str2bool(v)

	# Axon model
	# Open json file containing the information about the chosen axon model
	axon_files = {}
	ws.axonmodel_settings = {}
	for m in ws.settings['axon models']:
		af = m + '.json'
		axon_files[m] = af
		with open(os.path.join(ws.folders["models"], af), "r") as f:
			ws.axonmodel_settings[m] = json.load(f)

	###############################################################################
	# PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GEOMETRY

	# Anatomy
	# Open json file containing the information about anatomy
	file = os.path.join(ws.folders["settings"], "anatomy.json")
	with open(file, "r") as f:
		ws.anatomy_settings = json.load(f)

	# Electrodes
	file = os.path.join(ws.folders["settings"], "electrodes.json")
	with open(file, "r") as f:
		ws.electrodes_settings = json.load(f)

	# Container
	file = os.path.join(ws.folders["settings"], "container.json")
	with open(file, "r") as f:
		ws.container_settings = json.load(f)

	# Tissues
	file = os.path.join(ws.folders["settings"], "tissues.json")
	with open(file, "r") as f:
		ws.tissues_settings = json.load(f)

	# Check that everything is fine
	sanity_checks()

def physics():
	""" Set up some physical properties of the system from the settings """

	# Length (cm)
	ws.length = ws.anatomy_settings['length']
	# Internodal length to fiberD ratio
	# This will rarely be used in some models
	ws.ilD = ws.anatomy_settings['axons']['myelinated']['internodal length to fiberD ratio']

	# Temperature
	h.celsius = ws.settings['temperature']

	# Resistivities and thicknesses
	# Units:
	# Resistivity: Ohm*cm
	# Distance units: um

	# Resistivities
	ws.rho = {}
	# Thicknesses
	ws.th = {}

	# Nominal thickness of the perineurium (um)
	ws.th['perineurium'] = ws.tissues_settings['thickness']['perineurium']


	# Resistivities of the tissues. They must be in MOhm*um 
	# (convert from Ohm*cm)
	ws.rho['perineurium'] = ws.tissues_settings['resistivities']['perineurium'] * 1.e-6 * 1.e4

	ws.rho['epi_trans'] = ws.tissues_settings['resistivities']['epineurium']['transverse'] * 1.e-6 * 1.e4
	ws.rho['epi_longt'] = ws.tissues_settings['resistivities']['epineurium']['longitudinal'] * 1.e-6 * 1.e4
	ws.rho['endo_trans'] = ws.tissues_settings['resistivities']['endoneurium']['transverse'] * 1.e-6 * 1.e4
	ws.rho['endo_longt'] = ws.tissues_settings['resistivities']['endoneurium']['longitudinal'] * 1.e-6 * 1.e4

	# Perineurium resistance (MOhm*um2)
	ws.resist_perineurium = ws.rho['perineurium'] * ws.th['perineurium']

	ws.log("Perineurium resistance %f MOhm*um2:"%ws.resist_perineurium)


	# INFINITE RESISTIVITY OF AN IDEALLY TOTALLY RESISTIVE MEDIUM
	ws.rho['SuperResistive'] = 1.e9

def miscellanea():
	""" Miscellaneous variables. It's OK to have hard-coded 
	variables here """

	# DISCRETISATION OF THE VOLUME CONDUCTOR

	# Cables
	# NAELC. All this will need to be inside a json file
	# Number of segments for the cables
	ws.nseg = ws.settings["miscellanea"]["NAELC def nseg"]
	# Diameter (um)
	ws.cdiam = 1.
	# Extracellular layers
	ws.NAELC_extlayers = 1

	# Other variables
	ws.raxmin = 1e99
	ws.deltax_min = 1e99
	ws.g_min = 1e99
	# Counters
	ws.counters = {
		"cables": 0, 
		"axons": 0, 
		"NAELC": 0,
		"current injections": 0,
		"recordings": 0
	}
	ws.maxnseg = 0
	ws.totaldur = 0.
	ws.injections = []
	ws.injections_info = []
	ws.recordings = []

def setup_simcontrol():
	""" Try to set up the simulation control if there's a simulation 
	meant to happen """

	try:
		scsettings = ws.settings['simulation control']
		h.v_init = scsettings['v_init']
		ws.dt = h.dt = scsettings['dt']
		ws.nt = scsettings['nt']
		ws.tstop = scsettings['nt'] * h.dt
		h.tstop = ws.tstop
		ws.tarray = np.arange(0., h.tstop, h.dt)
	except LookupError:
		# There's not supposed to be any simulation
		pass

def prepare_workspace(remove_previous=True):
	""" Prepare all the necessary information in the workspace to be 
	able to do the necessary work, including running a simulation """

	# Data management
	# Prepare the folders that the code will use
	get_paths()
	# Remove results from previous simulation(s)
	if remove_previous:
		als.remove_previous_results()
	# Create the log file
	create_log_file()
	# Pass a couple of functions to ws
	ws.log = log
	ws.terminate = terminate
	# Read all the settings from the json files
	read_settings()
	now = datetime.now()
	ws.log("Execution started on: %s"%now.strftime("%d %h %Y at %H:%M:%S"))
	# Set up some physical properties of the system from the settings
	physics()
	# Set up a simulation
	setup_simcontrol()
	# Miscellaneous variables
	miscellanea()

def prepare_simulation(prep_workspace=True):
	""" Do the whole process of preparing a simulation """

	# Prepare the necessary variables from the configuration files
	if prep_workspace:
		prepare_workspace()

	# Shortenings
	stimmethod = ws.settings["stimulation"]["method"]
	nervemodel = ws.settings["nerve model"]

	# Create the NERVE TOPOLOGY. Cross-section only
	anatomy.create_nerve()

	# BIOPHYSICS

	# LOAD NEURON HOC CODE AND DEFINE FUNCTIONS

	# Load NEURON code
	h.load_file(os.path.join(ws.folders["src/hoc"], "ephap.hoc"))
	h.load_file(os.path.join(ws.folders["src/hoc"], "wire.hoc"))
	for m in ws.axonmodel_settings.values():
		h.load_file(m['hoc file'])

	# BUILD ALL THE WIRES with all their length
	bio.build_cables()

	# Finish setting up information for the fascicles
	if nervemodel == "resistor network":
		bio.finish_fascicles()

	# Create electrodes
	# This needs to be after the creation of the cables and before 
	# connecting the ephapses
	if stimmethod == "from electrodes":
		ws.log("Creating the electrodes")
		electrodes.create_electrodes()
	# elif stimmethod == "pre-computed":
	# 	pass

	# EPHAPSES
	if ws.EC["presence"]:
		if nervemodel == "resistor network":

			# Create an instance of the Resistor Network
			ws.log("Creating the Resistor Network")
			ws.rnet = bio.ResistorNetwork()

			# Get the resistances of the connections for each pair
			ws.log("\tGetting resistor values")
			ws.rnet.get_resistances()

			# Connect resistors with ephapses in NEURON
			ws.log("\tConnecting resistors")
			ws.rnet.connect_resistors()

	# OTHER CONNECTIONS

	ws.log("Preparing connections to ground on the boundaries and xraxial")
	# Prepare connections to ground in the system
	if stimmethod == "from electrodes":
		electrodes.prepare_ground_paths()

	# Set xraxial and make the connections to ground
	if nervemodel == "resistor network":
		bio.electrics()

	# STIMULATION
	ws.log("Setting up stimulation")

	# Inject currents from the cuff electrode

	# Add injected currents, delays and durations
	if stimmethod == "from electrodes":
		# if nervemodel == "resistor network":
		electrodes.set_stimulation()
	elif stimmethod == "pre-computed":
		bio.set_direct_extracellular_stimulation()

	# RECORDINGS
	ws.log("Setting up recordings")

	# Time
	als.set_time_recording()

	# From electrodes
	# Flag: presence of electrode recordings
	# Set it to False by default; it will become True if a recording 
	# electrode is created
	ws.settings["electrode recordings"] = False
	if stimmethod == "from electrodes":
		if nervemodel == "resistor network":
			electrodes.set_recordings()

	# Directly on the cables/axons
	als.record_cables()

def log(msg):
	""" Write a message into the log file """
	with open(ws.logfile, "a") as f:
		f.write(msg + "\n")
	# Print if wanted
	if ws.settings["verbose"]:
		print(msg)

def terminate():
	""" Terminate the whole program """
	now = datetime.now()
	log("THE PROGRAM WAS TERMINATED ON: %s"%now.strftime("%d %h %Y at %H:%M:%S"))
	sys.exit()

def run():
	""" Run a simulation """

	if h.tstop <= ws.totaldur:
		msg = 'WARNING: The simulation tstop is shorter than the total '\
		+ 'stimulation time. This will cause trouble when processing '\
		+ 'the recordings.'
		ws.log(msg)

	def initialize():
		""" Initialize the simulation for the first time step """
		h.finitialize(h.v_init)
		h.fcurrent()

	def go_by_steps():
		""" Main driver for the simulation """
		initialize()
		# Loop over time steps
		for i_t, t in enumerate(ws.tarray):
			h.fadvance()
			# Rest for 500 ms to allow the computer to cool down
			if False:
				time.sleep(0.5)
			# Time control
			t1 = datetime.now()
			msg = "Time step %i of %i. Total elapsed time: %i seconds"%(i_t, ws.nt, (t1 - t0).total_seconds())
			# Log the time step into the simulation log file
			ws.log(msg)

	def go_full():
		""" Run the simulation in one go with h.run() """
		initialize()
		h.run()

	# Run
	t0 = datetime.now()
	# log('Running the simulation in NEURON')
	now = datetime.now()
	ws.log("Starting the simulation in NEURON on: %s"%now.strftime("%d %h %Y at %H:%M:%S"))
	go_by_steps()
	now = datetime.now()
	ws.log("NEURON simulation finished on: %s"%now.strftime("%d %h %Y at %H:%M:%S"))
	log('Whole simulation time: %i seconds'%(now - t0).total_seconds())