News Health & Medicine

Brain at the breaking point

Study that stretched and strained neural connections could yield insights into traumatic injury

By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

SAN DIEGO — Rigid pathways in brain cell connections buckle and break when stretched, scientists report, a finding that could aid in the understanding of exactly what happens when traumatic brain injuries occur.

BROKEN AXON: Sudden forces cause microtubules running inside axons to break (arrow), leading to axon swelling and damage, a new study shows. The work may have implications for understanding traumatic brain injury. Credit: D. Smith
BROKEN AXON Sudden forces cause microtubules running inside axons to break (arrow), leading to axon swelling and damage, a new study shows.