Why does signal transduction in a demyelinated neuron slow down action potential propagation following an initial stimulus?

💡 Explanation

Saltatory conduction relies on myelin sheaths to insulate axons, enabling action potentials to 'jump' between Nodes of Ranvier; because myelin is degraded in demyelinated neurons, this efficient mode of transmission is lost, therefore slowing signal propagation, rather than the axon experiencing sodium channel inactivation.

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