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19 - Neuromechanobiology of the brain

Mechanics of neuronal structure, function, and pathophysiology

from Part II - Recent progress in cell mechanobiology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2015

By
Jerel Mueller  and
William Tyler
Edited by
Yu Sun ,
Deok-Ho Kim  and
Craig A. Simmons
Yu Sun
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Deok-Ho Kim
Affiliation:
University of Washington
Craig A. Simmons
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
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Summary

This chapter discusses recent progress and future directions regarding mechanobiology as applied to neuronal function. Along with the generation and transduction of mechanical forces by neuronal elements, the influence of mechanical forces on the neuronal membrane, actin, and ion channels is highlighted. Further topics such as cortical folding and traumatic brain injury expand discussion of the role of mechanical forces into a more macroscopic scale. As the mechanical properties of the nervous tissue environment and other mechanical cues influence neural development and contribute to the regulation of endogenous brain function, there is great utility in investigating the mechanical properties of the central nervous system. Through discussion of the role of mechanical forces in neural elements, and early biophysical formulations to understand neural systems that incorporate mechanical analysis, this chapter hopes to encourage expansion of studies and methods investigating mechanobiology applied to the nervous system.

Type
Chapter
Information
Integrative Mechanobiology
Micro- and Nano- Techniques in Cell Mechanobiology
 , pp. 347 - 367
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2015

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