anterograde

Anterograde is a term used in anatomy and neuroscience to denote movement or progression away from a source. In many contexts it describes the direction of flow or transport away from the cell body, origin, or proximal region, in contrast with retrograde, which moves toward the source. It also appears in broader usage to indicate forward progression in time or sequence.

In neuroscience, anterograde axonal transport refers to the regulated movement of proteins, organelles, vesicles, and other cargo from the neuronal soma toward the axon terminals. This transport occurs along microtubules and is powered by kinesin molecular motors. There are fast and slow components that differ in speed and cargo.

Anterograde tracing uses specialized molecules to map projections leaving a brain region, helping researchers delineate neural circuits. Common tracers include certain lectins and dextran amines that are taken up by cell bodies and transported anterogradely.

Anterograde amnesia is a clinical condition characterized by the inability to form new memories after a brain insult, while previously acquired memories remain intact. It most often involves the hippocampus and related medial temporal structures and can result from head injury, stroke, or alcohol-related damage.

In contrast to retrograde processes, retrograde transport proceeds from terminals toward the soma and is used by certain signaling pathways and pathogens. In other medical or physiological contexts, anterograde may describe forward flow of substances through ducts or circuits.