Axon Growth and Regeneration: Methods and Protocols brings together a diverse set of techniques for the study of the mechanisms underlying central nervous system axon growth, consequently providing a resource that will aid in the development of repair strategies. After an introductory section, this detailed volume continues with sections focusing on axon growth in vitro, providing a range of protocols that can be used to examine intracellular signalling pathways, axonal responses to extracellular factors and methods for quantifying outgrowth. The next section provides protocols for inducing experimental injury in vivo as well as some highly promising protocols for promoting regeneration, which segues into the final section highlighting a series of protocols that can be used to monitor the extent of axon regeneration in vivo, ranging from tract tracing to in vivo imaging and functional recovery. As a book in the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Practical and reliable, Axon Growth and Regeneration: Methods and Protocols aims to serve researchers studying axon regeneration with a significant set of diverse tools, vital for moving on to the next generation of exciting new discoveries in the field.