<p><strong>Short answer</strong><br />
Action potentials travelling through the axon are accompanied by a mechanical displacement of the axonal membrane.</p>
<p><strong>Background</strong><br />
Multiple studies have shown that a mechanical displacement of the axonal membrane accompanies an action potential. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms7697" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hady &amp; Machta (2015)</a> used a computer model to show that these mechanical displacements are generated by the storage of energy  in the neuronal membrane when the action potential travels through the axon that alter the compressive electrostatic forces across the membrane. These forces lead to co-propagating mechanical displacements accompanying the action potentials, which the authors have dubbed 'action waves' <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms7697" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Hady &amp; Machta, 2015)</a>.</p>
<p>It is important to realize that the action potential drives the action wave and communication between neurons. As far as I understand, the action wave has no known physiological function in neural communication, although it is a point of debate <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brain-cells-communicate-with-mechanical-pulses-not-electric-signals/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Fox, 2018)</a>.</p>
<p><sub><strong>Reference</strong><br />
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brain-cells-communicate-with-mechanical-pulses-not-electric-signals/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fox, <em>Sci Am</em> (2018), April issue</a><br />
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms7697" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hady &amp; Machta, <em>Nat Comm</em> (2015); <strong>6</strong>: 6697</a></sub></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-29T18:50:12.373Z
Ah yes, this must have been what I was thinking of. So cool, thank you!
Otherness
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-24T07:14:31.977Z
2020-09-24T09:14:57.237Z
2020-09-24T09:14:57.237Z
AliceD
<p>I recall hearing something about there being a mechanical way that two neurons can communicate with each other in addition to the chemical and electrical synapse methods. Something about a certain frequency or physical pulse that can travel along the connexons across the gap junction that is received by the post-synaptic terminal.</p>
<p>Did I make this up?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-23T16:35:41.793Z
Is it possible you have in mind sensory neuron/epithelia of the skin or cochlea?
Bryan Krause
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-29T18:43:43.923Z
Nope, definitely thinking on the level of the synapse.
Otherness
<neurophysiology><communication><electrophysiology><neuro-transmitters><cell-signaling>
Is there a mechanical/vibrational communication method between pre- and post-synaptic terminals in addition to chemical and electrical synapses?
Otherness
# Is there a mechanical/vibrational communication method between pre- and post-synaptic terminals in addition to chemical and electrical synapses?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-09-23)

I recall hearing something about there being a mechanical way that two neurons can communicate with each other in addition to the chemical and electrical synapse methods. Something about a certain frequency or physical pulse that can travel along the connexons across the gap junction that is received by the post-synaptic terminal.

Did I make this up?

**Tags:** neurophysiology, communication, electrophysiology, neuro-transmitters, cell-signaling

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Is it possible you have in mind sensory neuron/epithelia of the skin or cochlea?  
> **username_0**: Nope, definitely thinking on the level of the synapse.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-09-24. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

**Short answer**  
Action potentials travelling through the axon are accompanied by a mechanical displacement of the axonal membrane.

**Background**  
Multiple studies have shown that a mechanical displacement of the axonal membrane accompanies an action potential. [Hady & Machta (2015)](https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms7697) used a computer model to show that these mechanical displacements are generated by the storage of energy in the neuronal membrane when the action potential travels through the axon that alter the compressive electrostatic forces across the membrane. These forces lead to co-propagating mechanical displacements accompanying the action potentials, which the authors have dubbed 'action waves' [(Hady & Machta, 2015)](https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms7697).

It is important to realize that the action potential drives the action wave and communication between neurons. As far as I understand, the action wave has no known physiological function in neural communication, although it is a point of debate [(Fox, 2018)](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brain-cells-communicate-with-mechanical-pulses-not-electric-signals/).

**Reference**  
**-** [Fox, *Sci Am* (2018), April issue](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brain-cells-communicate-with-mechanical-pulses-not-electric-signals/)  
**-** [Hady & Machta, *Nat Comm* (2015); **6**: 6697](https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms7697)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Ah yes, this must have been what I was thinking of. So cool, thank you!  

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