ScienceAugust 9, 2026

axons

AK-sonz

Definition

The long, thread-like parts of a nerve cell that conduct electrical impulses away from the cell body toward other cells.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'axon' meaning 'axis', referencing the long, central projection of a nerve cell.

In the news

The article highlights that PSMD detects microscopic damage to white matter, which is primarily composed of these structures, and notes that the protein NfL is released when they are damaged.

Alzheimer’s: MRI metric identifies early white matter damage

Read the full article ↗

healthcare-in-europe.com

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