Aksoniseen

Aksoniseen is a hypothetical concept in theoretical neuroscience that foregrounds axonal properties in neural information processing. The term is used to describe a paradigm where axons are treated not only as passive conduits for signals at synapses but as active participants shaping timing, reliability, and routing of activity across neural networks. The word combines aksoni (axon) and -inen, a Finnish suffix meaning “pertaining to,” reflecting a Nordic scholarly tradition in speculative writings.

Core ideas of Aksoniseen include the notion that conduction velocity, myelination patterns, axon caliber, and branching topology can determine network dynamics. It emphasizes axon-to-axon interactions in shared extracellular spaces, and the idea that axonal signaling operates on timescales capable of synchronizing or desynchronizing activity. The concept of “axonal domains” refers to groups of axons that tend to co-activate and influence downstream targets, extending beyond traditional neuron-centric views.

Proponents argue that incorporating axonal properties can improve models of rapid sensorimotor processing, long-range integration, and pathological states where conduction is altered. Critics contend that the framework currently lacks direct empirical operationalization at scale and risks conflating axonal physics with phenomena more fully explained by synaptic plasticity and circuit architecture.

No widely adopted definition exists, and Aksoniseen is mostly found in theoretical or speculative discussions rather than standard textbooks. It is sometimes discussed as a complement to conventional models, in contrast to neuron-centric or synapse-centric perspectives.

See also: axon, axonal transport, conduction velocity, myelination, neural coding, network dynamics.