A Stochastic Study of Temporally Resolved Neuronal Growth.
Wiens, Matthew R.
2014
- Abstract: Neurons are a primary functional component of the brain and nervous system. During development, axons explore their surrounding and form synapses with dendrites of other neurons. The growth of the axon is directed by numerous mechanical and chemical cues, which have not been described in a fully quantitative model. Here the Fokker-Planck equation and an effective potential are used to ... read morequantitatively describe the net effect of the guidance cues. The velocity of growth is written using polar coordinates, to separate the speed and angle of growth. On glass, the effective potential for speed is found to be V-shaped, while the effective potential for the angle is found be sinusoidal, indicating the existence of regulatory mechanisms beyond simple diffusion. The effects of directional surfaces made from PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) with an anisotropic ratchet structure are also investigated. The ratchet structure imparts directionality to the growth, with the neurons primarily growing over the ridges of the ratchet structure with roughly the same amplitude as the growth cone.read less
- ID:
- gq67k356x
- Component ID:
- tufts:sd.0000132
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
