Why is Wallerian degeneration in the CNS so slow?

Wallerian degeneration (WD) is the set of molecular and cellular events by which degenerating axons and myelin are cleared after injury. Why WD is rapid and robust in the PNS but slow and incomplete in the CNS is a longstanding mystery. Here we review current work on the mechanisms of WD with an emp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnual review of neuroscience Vol. 30; p. 153
Main Authors Vargas, Mauricio E, Barres, Ben A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.2007
Subjects
Animals
Antibodies - immunology
Axons - metabolism
Axons - pathology
Central Nervous System Diseases - metabolism
Central Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology
Humans
Macrophages - physiology
Myelin Sheath - immunology
Myelin Sheath - metabolism
Myelin Sheath - pathology
Nerve Regeneration - physiology
Neuroglia - physiology
Phagocytosis - physiology
Time Factors
Wallerian Degeneration - genetics
Wallerian Degeneration - metabolism
Wallerian Degeneration - physiopathology
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Summary:Wallerian degeneration (WD) is the set of molecular and cellular events by which degenerating axons and myelin are cleared after injury. Why WD is rapid and robust in the PNS but slow and incomplete in the CNS is a longstanding mystery. Here we review current work on the mechanisms of WD with an emphasis on deciphering this mystery and on understanding whether slow WD in the CNS could account for the failure of CNS axons to regenerate.
ISSN:0147-006X
DOI:10.1146/annurev.neuro.30.051606.094354