Light- and Electron-Microscopical Studies of Normal and Degenerating Axons

Abstract

This review will be concerned with an evaluation of the methods that have been used for tracing axonal connections. Specifically it will deal with methods that depend upon degenerative changes in the central nervous system of vertebrates. A number of accounts have considered this subject and many have appeared during the last decade. In order to appreciate the extent to which interpretations of axon degeneration have varied during this time and for details of much of the earlier literature reference should be made to Cajal (1928), Gibson (1937), Schimert (1938), Haggar and Barr (1950), Glees and Nauta (1955), Evans and Hamlyn (1956), Bowsher et al. (1960), Alksne et al. (1966), Beresford (1966), Gray and Guillery (1966), Heimer (1967 and 1968a) and Glees and Hasan (1968).