Biomaterial Database

The regulation of axonal growth in the mature mammalian nervous system. 1990

K A Crutcher

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ohio 45267.

Studies of a specific neuronal rearrangement that occurs in the mature rat nervous system have led to conclusions regarding the regulation of axonal growth in maturity and aging. In this brief review, the results of recent experiments are summarized and the general conclusions presented. One hypothesis that has emerged from these studies is that the extent of growth of one portion of a neuron's axonal arbor may affect the potential for growth at another portion of the arbor. In addition, evidence has been obtained in favor of the hypothesis that the decline in neuronal plasticity that occurs in aging is primarily due to a decrease in the support of axonal growth by the CNS environment. Finally, evidence is reviewed for the presence of growth-inhibiting activity of CNS white matter. Each of these findings has potential implications for understanding the regulation of axonal growth in the mature and aging brain.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008322	Mammals	Warm-blooded vertebrate animals belonging to the class Mammalia, including all that possess hair and suckle their young.	Mammalia,Mammal
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D002490	Central Nervous System	The main information-processing organs of the nervous system, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges.	Cerebrospinal Axis,Axi, Cerebrospinal,Axis, Cerebrospinal,Central Nervous Systems,Cerebrospinal Axi,Nervous System, Central,Nervous Systems, Central,Systems, Central Nervous
D000375	Aging	The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time.	Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001369	Axons	Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body.	Axon