Axon Guidance

Early movement in the developing neurite could be comparable to that of the marine organism known as a stingray. Initial connections are established by pioneer axons of this neurite, which elongate in accordance with the expansion of the developing nervous system. These axons then serve as a guide for following axonal processes. Axons come across various signals en route known as guidance cues that play a crucial role in axon navigation.

Figure 1: A spotted stingray at the bottom of the ocean. See source.

Ultimately, neuroscientists believe that understanding how the brain is normally wired will evoke the creation of potential therapies to correct altered trajectory of brain growth in children viable to neural disorders, for instance autism.