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Axon morphology is modulated by the local environment and impacts the noninvasive investigation of its structure-function relationship.

ABSTRACT: Axonal conduction velocity, which ensures efficient function of the brain network, is related to axon diameter. Noninvasive, in vivo axon diameter estimates can be made with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, but the technique requires three-dimensional (3D) validation. Here, high-resolution, 3D synchrotron X-ray nano-holotomography images of white matter samples from the corpus callosum of a monkey brain reveal that blood vessels, cells, and vacuoles affect axonal diameter and trajectory. Within single axons, we find that the variation in diameter and conduction velocity correlates with the mean diameter, contesting the value of precise diameter determination in larger axons. These complex 3D axon morphologies drive previously reported 2D trends in axon diameter and g-ratio. Furthermore, we find that these morphologies bias the estimates of axon diameter with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and, ultimately, impact the investigation and formulation of the axon structure-function relationship.

SUBMITTER: Andersson M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7777205 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Axon morphology is modulated by the local environment and impacts the noninvasive investigation of its structure-function relationship.

Andersson Mariam M Kjer Hans Martin HM Rafael-Patino Jonathan J Pacureanu Alexandra A Pakkenberg Bente B Thiran Jean-Philippe JP Ptito Maurice M Bech Martin M Bjorholm Dahl Anders A Andersen Dahl Vedrana V Dyrby Tim B TB

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20201221 52

Axonal conduction velocity, which ensures efficient function of the brain network, is related to axon diameter. Noninvasive, in vivo axon diameter estimates can be made with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, but the technique requires three-dimensional (3D) validation. Here, high-resolution, 3D synchrotron X-ray nano-holotomography images of white matter samples from the corpus callosum of a monkey brain reveal that blood vessels, cells, and vacuoles affect axonal diameter and trajectory. Wi ...[more]

PMID: 33376224

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Dataset Information

Axon morphology is modulated by the local environment and impacts the noninvasive investigation of its structure-function relationship.

Publications

Axon morphology is modulated by the local environment and impacts the noninvasive investigation of its structure-function relationship.

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