Aksonipätkiä

Aksonipätkiä, also known as axonal fragments or neuroaxonal spheroids, are microscopic spherical or oval structures found in the nervous system. They are formed by the abnormal accumulation of axoplasmic material, which is the cytoplasm of an axon. This accumulation typically occurs when an axon is damaged or severed. The blockage of axonal transport, the mechanism by which substances are moved along the axon, leads to the swelling and eventual fragmentation of the axon's distal end, forming these characteristic spheroids.

The presence of aksonipätkiä is often indicative of neuronal injury. They can be observed in various neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and certain toxic exposures. The identification of aksonipätkiä in tissue samples or cerebrospinal fluid can serve as a biomarker for axonal damage. Researchers study aksonipätkiä to understand the mechanisms of neuronal degeneration and to develop potential therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders. The size and distribution of aksonipätkiä can vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the axonal injury.