New Study Finds Axons May Resemble 'Strings of Beads' Instead of Smooth Lines

Axons might not always be smooth - new research shows they can resemble strings of beads.

Advertisement
Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 18 December 2024 17:00 IST
Highlights
  • Axons may have a "beaded" structure, known as nanoscopic varicosities
  • New high-pressure freezing method revealed these unique patterns
  • Future studies aim to explore their connection to brain health and sign
New Study Finds Axons May Resemble 'Strings of Beads' Instead of Smooth Lines

Nature Neuroscience observed that axons can resemble strings of beads

Photo Credit: pixabay/ TheDigitalArtist

Recent research has called into question the traditional understanding of axons, the message-sending fibres of neurons, suggesting that these structures may not always be smooth and cylindrical. A study published on December 2 in Nature Neuroscience observed that axons can resemble strings of beads rather than uniform lines. This discovery was made by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine using a high-pressure freezing method for imaging axons from mouse brains.

According to Dr Shigeki Watanabe, a cell biologist and neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins, traditional preservation techniques often alter the shape of tissues, leading to discrepancies in observations. As per a report by ScienceNews, he explained that the freezing method they employed better preserves the natural structure, likening the process to freezing grapes instead of drying them into raisins. Electron microscopy revealed rotund blobs connected by thin tubes, a feature not previously studied systematically.

Physical Mechanics Behind Axonal Pearling

Reportedly, the beaded structure of axons, also known as nanoscopic varicosities, was explained by Watanabe as a result of physical mechanics. Creating this shape requires less energy than maintaining a smooth cylindrical structure. The researchers believe that the shape of axons might influence the speed of signal transmission and vice versa. Preliminary data also suggest that myelinated axons, which are coated in insulating material, may exhibit similar patterns.

Scepticism and Future Investigations

Pramod Pullarkat, a physicist from the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru, expressed caution regarding these findings. In his statement, he emphasised that while the data is compelling, more evidence is needed to confirm this phenomenon across different conditions. He highlighted that axons grown in laboratory settings often appear smooth, which raises questions about whether the observed structures are a subset or artefacts of the imaging process.

Advertisement

Further studies are planned to investigate whether these beaded axons are influenced by factors such as sleep or other changes in the brain's environment. Researchers aim to explore axonal structures in living brains to verify these findings and understand their broader implications.

 

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement
Popular Mobile Brands
  1. ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X Handhelds Unveiled at Xbox Games Showcase
  2. iOS 26 May Feature "Liquid Glass" Elements Throughout the User Interface
  3. WWDC 2025: How to Watch the Apple Keynote Live and What to Expect
  1. iOS 26 to Feature “Liquid Glass” UI Elements in Anticipation of 2027 iPhone Models: Report
  2. Microsoft Unveils ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X Handheld PCs at Xbox Games Showcase
  3. Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Coming to Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation With a Future Update
  4. NASA-ISRO Launch Joint Space Biology Experiments on Axiom Mission 4
  5. Scientists Discover Clicking Sounds in Rig Sharks for the First Time
  6. WWDC 2025: How to Watch the Apple Keynote Live and What to Expect
  7. Scientists Discover Heaviest Proton-Emitting Nucleus After Nearly 30 Years
  8. Hubble Unveils Galactic ‘Cotton Candy’ in the Large Magellanic Cloud
  9. James Webb Telescope Maps Fiery Atmosphere of Turbulent Exoplanet WASP-121b
  10. SpaceX Launches 27 Starlink Satellites from California Using Veteran Falcon 9 Booster
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.