The speed at which peripheral neurons regenerate their axons after an injury declines with age; however, the underlying causes of this slow-down are unknown. Using time-lapse imaging, the authors reveal that regenerating axons encounter, and must bypass, physical 'obstacles' that are composed mainly of debris from degenerating axons and myelin. The clearance of this debris was slower in older animals, resulting in a slower overall pace of regeneration.
References
Kang, H. & Lichtman, J. W. Motor axon regeneration and muscle reinnervation in young adult and aged animals. J. Neurosci. 33, 19480–19491 (2013)
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Whalley, K. Obstacles to growth for older axons. Nat Rev Neurosci 15, 66 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3675
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3675