Atomic force microscopy reveals important differences in axonal resistance to injury.

ABSTRACT: Axonal degeneration after traumatic brain injury and nerve compression is considered a common underlying cause of temporary as well as permanent disability. Because a proper functioning of neural network requires phase coherence of all components, even subtle changes in circuitry may lead to network failure. However, it is still not possible to determine which axons will recover or degenerate after injury. Several groups have studied the pressure threshold for axonal injury within a nerve, but difficulty accessing the injured region; insufficient imaging methods and the extremely small dimensions involved have prevented the evaluation of the response of individual axons to injury. We combined microfluidics with atomic force microscopy and in vivo imaging to estimate the threshold force req

SUBMITTER: Magdesian MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3414878 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature