Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Neurons

Neuronal growth cones are structures located at the tip of neurites, and are responsible for extension of processes and for transducing signals. They must also solve mechanical problems while exploring the environment. The first part of this book reveals the dynamics of growth cone elements in sparse and dense cultures, and focuses on the strategy for solving mechanical problems for an efficient exploration of the environment. Imaging techniques like Atomic Force Microscopy when used on soft tissue such as neuronal membranes introduces an intrinsic artifact since the acquisition process itself disturbs the structure. The second part demonstrates an innovative procedure to compensate for such changes caused by the pressure of the imaging tip. Combination with conventional Confocal Microscopy reveals structural details in the neuronal growth cone with a nanoscale dimension, difficult to resolve with conventional microscopy. This book should be useful to those studying effects of mechanical properties on mechanisms of, for instance, neurodegenerative problems where the mechanical and morphological properties of neurons and of growth cones in particular can be of great importance.