Neuronal Growth Rate
Neuronal Growth Rate - Related Videos
11:46
Axon Stretch Growth: The Mechanotransduction of Neuronal Growth
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Cited by 30 •
2011
A unique tissue engineering method was developed to elongate numerous nerve fibers in culture by recapitulating axon stretch growth; a form of nervous system growth whereby nerves elongate in conjunction with growth of the enlarging body.
12:47
Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates
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Cited by 8 •
2014
Here we describe an adaptation of protocols used to induce homeostatic plasticity in neurons for the study of plasticity of astrocytic G protein-coupled receptors. Recently used to examine changes in astrocytic group I mGluRs in juvenile mice, the method can be applied to measure scaling of various astrocytic GPCRs, in tissue from adult mice in situ and in vivo, and to gain a better appreciation of the sensitivity of astrocytic receptors to changes in neuronal activity.
09:52
Inducing Dendritic Growth in Cultured Sympathetic Neurons
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Cited by 10 •
2012
We describe a protocol for using bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) or Matrigel to selectively induce dendritic growth in primary sympathetic neurons dissociated from the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) of perinatal rats.
05:17
Enhancement of the Initial Growth Rate of Agricultural Plants by Using Static Magnetic Fields
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Cited by 1 •
2016
The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate the acceleration of the initial growth rate of plants by applying static magnetic fields with no external energy.
16:29
Neuronal Cell Cultures from Aplysia for High-Resolution Imaging of Growth Cones
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Cited by 18 •
2008
Aplysia californica neurons develop large growth cones in culture that are excellent for high-resolution imaging of growth cone motility and guidance. Here, we present a protocol for dissection and plating of Aplysia bag cell neurons as well as for setting up a chamber for live cell imaging.
FAQs
Actin remodeling helps push and shape the advancing membrane at the growth cone, while microtubule remodeling supports structural extension into the developing neurite. Their coordinated activity makes growth dynamic rather than uniform: changes in either cytoskeletal system can affect how quickly an axon or dendrite extends. This mechanism links cellular structure to measurable outgrowth over time.
Extracellular guidance cues influence where growth proceeds, whereas neurotrophic signals help regulate the direction and persistence of extension. These inputs act through the growth cone rather than serving as simple background conditions. Measuring growth under defined signaling environments therefore helps researchers determine whether a treatment changes overall extension, directional behavior, or the ability of neurites to continue growing.
Comparing neuronal growth rate across developmental stages, cell types, or treatments helps separate context-dependent responses from general effects. A treatment may produce different outgrowth measurements in different neuronal populations or at different stages. Because the assay can track both neurite length and branching, researchers can examine whether an intervention is associated with simpler extension changes, altered branching, or both.
Researchers use time-lapse imaging under defined culture conditions, repeatedly image neurons, trace neurite length or record branching at successive time points, and compare the resulting trajectories. Keeping culture conditions defined makes comparisons among developmental stages, cell types, and treatments more interpretable. The output is a time-resolved measure of structural change rather than a single endpoint.
Changes in measured growth can help identify regulators of neurite outgrowth and evaluate how neurons participate in circuit formation. Length and branching provide complementary readouts: one follows extension, while the other captures changes in structural complexity. Together, these measurements connect cellular growth behavior with larger questions about how developing neurons organize into nervous-system circuits.
It is especially relevant when testing strategies for axonal regeneration or examining neurotoxicity. In regeneration studies, growth measurements indicate whether an intervention is associated with renewed axonal extension. In neurotoxicity studies, altered outgrowth or branching can provide a measurable structural response to treatment. This makes the assay useful for evaluating both repair-oriented and harmful effects.