Intermediate
Technical
IVT
axonal transport
The process by which cellular materials move along nerve fiber pathways between cell body and terminals.
Full Definition
Axonal transport is the bidirectional movement of organelles, proteins, lipids, and other cellular components along microtubules within axons. This process is essential for neuronal function as it delivers materials from the cell body to synaptic terminals (anterograde transport) and returns degraded components and signaling molecules back to the cell body (retrograde transport). Disruption of axonal transport is implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and ALS.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from synaptic transmission, which refers to signal transfer between neurons.
In Context
- "The research paper described how tau protein aggregates disrupt axonal transport in Alzheimer's disease." — Academic manuscript
- "Impaired axonal transport was identified as a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of motor neuron degeneration." — Clinical research report
Also known as
axoplasmic transport
neuronal transport
Don't confuse with
synaptic transmission
neural conduction