Aug 26th 2014, 00:00, by Sarah E. Pease, Rosalind A. Segal
Functional neural circuits depend on proper interconnections formed by long-range axonal projections. As the fundamental connective unit of neural circuits, axons must be protected and maintained in the face of multiple potential threats. Axonal maintenance is particularly important because most neurons cannot be replaced and must therefore be preserved throughout the life of the organism. Axon degeneration is a broad term applied to various modes of axon death, with distinct instigators but similar final morphology of axon fragmentation.
