Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
Neural Circuits01:25

Neural Circuits

Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
Neuron Structure01:30

Neuron Structure

Neurons are the main type of cell in the nervous system that generate and transmit electrochemical signals. They primarily communicate with each other using neurotransmitters at specific junctions called synapses. Neurons come in many shapes that often relate to their function, but most share three main structures: an axon and dendrites that extend out from a cell body.
Structure and Function of Neurons
The neuronal cell body—the soma— houses the nucleus and organelles vital to cellular...
Neuron Structure01:31

Neuron Structure

Overview

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Exosomal TNF-α mediates voltage-gated Na+ channel 1.6 overexpression and contributes to brain tumor-induced neuronal hyperexcitability.

The Journal of clinical investigation·2024
Same author

Mechanisms of Glioblastoma Replication: Ca2+ Flares and Cl- Currents.

Molecular cancer research : MCR·2024
Same author

Structural heterogeneity of the ion and lipid channel TMEM16F.

Nature communications·2024
Same author

Unfolding and identification of membrane proteins in situ.

eLife·2022
Same author

The dual action of glioma-derived exosomes on neuronal activity: synchronization and disruption of synchrony.

Cell death & disease·2022
Same author

2D MXene interfaces preserve the basal electrophysiology of targeted neural circuits.

Nanoscale·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches
10:50

Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches

Published on: June 21, 2022

Mechanical computation in neurons.

Jummi Laishram1, Daniela Avossa, Rajesh Shahapure

  • 1Neuroscience Sector, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.

Developmental Neurobiology
|July 14, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neuronal growth cones use filopodia and lamellipodia for efficient environmental exploration. These structures exhibit statistical patterns and feedback loops, demonstrating neurons solve mechanical problems throughout life.

More Related Videos

Mechanical Manipulation of Neurons to Control Axonal Development
10:02

Mechanical Manipulation of Neurons to Control Axonal Development

Published on: April 10, 2011

Large-scale Recording of Neurons by Movable Silicon Probes in Behaving Rodents
17:37

Large-scale Recording of Neurons by Movable Silicon Probes in Behaving Rodents

Published on: March 4, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches
10:50

Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches

Published on: June 21, 2022

Mechanical Manipulation of Neurons to Control Axonal Development
10:02

Mechanical Manipulation of Neurons to Control Axonal Development

Published on: April 10, 2011

Large-scale Recording of Neurons by Movable Silicon Probes in Behaving Rodents
17:37

Large-scale Recording of Neurons by Movable Silicon Probes in Behaving Rodents

Published on: March 4, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Growth cones are motile structures at neurite tips, essential for neuronal development.
  • Neurons face mechanical challenges in navigating and connecting within the nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze growth cone kinetics and dynamics.
  • To understand filopodia and lamellipodia exploration strategies.
  • To identify mechanical problems neurons solve.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of filopodia and lamellipodia motion.
  • Statistical pattern analysis of growth and retraction.
  • Computational modeling of neuronal movement.

Main Results:

  • Filopodia exhibit statistically optimal patterns for environmental exploration in sparse cultures.
  • Exploration is reduced but present in dense cultures.
  • Filopodia pair growth shows correlations (|rho| >0.15 for >50% of pairs).

Conclusions:

  • Neuronal growth cones solve complex mechanical problems.
  • Filopodia and lamellipodia motion can be modeled as a feedback-controlled random process.
  • Neurons address mechanical challenges from embryogenesis through adulthood.