Axons Cell Biology, Molecular Dynamics and Roles in Neural Repair and Rehabilitation

Axons are nerve fibres that typically conduct electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body. The function of the axon is to transmit information to different neurons, muscles and glands. In this book, the authors discuss the cell biology, molecular dynamics and role in neural repair and rehabilitation of axons. Topics include the traumatic retraction of living neural processes and their inhibitions; water translocation from the axoplasm into the glioplasm during reactive reorganisation of myelinated nerve fibres; problems and mechanisms in axonal afterdischarges; the putative role of axon cytoskeleton protein in MS repair; microtubules as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases; morphometrical and molecular biological analyses of facial nerves in healthy adults and patients with facial nerve palsy; intrinsic axon growth potential; and sensory axonal guidance by chemorepulsive and chemoattractive cues in higher vertebrates.