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axons

·December 2, 2024·6 min read

Study Reveals Axons Are Like “Pearls on a String”

A new study challenges the long-held belief that axons, brain cell extensions, are tube-like, revealing instead a "pearl-on-a-string" structure. Using advanced freezing electron microscopy, researchers found these bead-like formations, termed "non-synaptic varicosities," across mouse neurons.

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·January 5, 2023·4 min read

Stimulating Axon Regrowth After Spinal Cord Injury

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) activates MAP2K signaling and enhanced axon regeneration and functional recovery following spinal cord injury.

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·December 11, 2022·3 min read

Swelling Along Brain’s Axons May Be True Culprit in Alzheimer’s Disease

The formation of plaques can cause the accumulation of spheroid-shaped swellings along axons near the amyloid plaque deposits. The swellings are caused by lysosomes, which digest cellular waste. As the swelling enlarges, it can block the transmission of signals from one area of the brain to another.

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·March 24, 2022·3 min read

Distant Regions of the Human Brain Are Wired Together by Surprisingly Few Connections

Study reveals axon density is lower than previously believed between distant regions of the brain.

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·November 27, 2021·5 min read

Researchers Discover Biological Mechanisms Caused by Deficits in High-Risk Autism Gene

Rare variants of the autism-associated ANK2 gene alter the architecture and organization of neurons, potentially contributing to autism and neurodevelopmental comorbidities.

This shows regenerated axons in the spinal cord

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·November 11, 2021·7 min read

Injectable Therapy Reverses Paralysis in Mice with Spinal Cord Injuries

Harnessing the power of "dancing molecules", researchers have developed a new injectable therapy that repairs tissue damage and reverses paralysis in mouse models. Within four weeks of receiving the injection, paralyzed mice regained the ability to walk.

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·July 24, 2021·8 min read

Professional Rugby May Be Associated With Changes in Brain Structure

Neuroimaging study revealed a significant number of professional rugby players had white matter abnormalities and abnormal changes to white matter volume over time.

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·July 10, 2021·4 min read

Cell Structure Previously Associated With Disease Actually Improves Brain Function

Axonal swelling in the Purkinje cells of mice had no detrimental impact on firing rate or the speed at which axons transmit signals. At peak firing rate, axons with swellings were less likely to fail than those without.

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·May 20, 2021·4 min read

How Injured Nerves Stop Themselves From Healing

At the site of injury, nerves release a protein called CXCL12 which attracts growing nerve fibers and keeps them trapped in place. This prevents the nerve fibers from growing in the correct direction to bridge the injury site.