Axon Guidance | Topics

How the visual cortex wires itself: targeted from the start, refined over time

A new study published in Cell Reports found that the visual cortex establishes targeted, region-specific neural connections early in postnatal development, challenging the exuberant growth model. The research team mapped the connections of thousands of neurons using advanced viral and molecular tracing techniques, revealing a refined w...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2026

Discovery on neural wiring could unlock paths toward treatment of spinal cord injury, stroke

A team of researchers at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science has discovered a genetic atlas of neuronal development, which could provide a potential step forward for understanding how to repair broken neural connections. The study found that neurons use a genetic switch in the cell body to control axon growth, allowin...

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2026

A second career for a growth factor receptor: keeping nerve axons on target

A Salk Institute team identified p75 as an unexpected factor that helps keep retinal axons from going astray. The protein previously known for regulating cell survival leads a double life as an axon guidance protein.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateSep 11, 2008