Neuron cell bodies switch gene programs to steer growing axons, study finds
Researchers at Brown University have discovered that neuron cell bodies use genetic switches to guide growing axons, challenging the long-held belief that guidance signals originate solely from the axon tip. This finding provides a new genetic atlas for neuronal development and could aid in future treatments for spinal cord injuries and strokes.
Why it matters
This discovery fundamentally changes the understanding of neurobiology and offers a potential pathway for medical advancements in repairing damaged neural connections.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Add as preferred source Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new discovery by neuroscientists at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science challenges long-held beliefs in neurobiology about how neurons extend axons to reach their targets.
Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , the findings provide what the authors call a "genetic atlas" of neuronal development, as well as a potential step forward for understanding how to repair broken neural connections in conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury.
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