In: Anatomy and Physiology
Is it possible for nerves to regenerate, and if it is possible, where would you expect regeneration to occur, in the CNS or PNS, and why or why not? What part of a neuron can grow back, if at all?
Yes it is possible for nerves to regenrate.Regeneration of nerves occur in the PNS ,but not in the CNS.
Axon regeneration in the CNS fails for two reasons.
First because the environment surrounding CNS lesions is inhibitory to axon growth,
second because most CNS axons only mount a feeble regeneration response after they are cut.
Neuroregeneration in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) occurs to a significant degree. After an injury to the axon, peripheral neurons activate a variety of signaling pathways which turn on pro-growth genes, leading to reformation of a functional growth cone and regeneration.
Current scientific knowledge reports that when a nerve cell dies, it does not grow back. However, existing nerve cells can grow branches or arms called dendrites that can connect to living nerve cells. ... Growing dendrites is a normal healing process of the brain.
In the case of axon injury, the neuron is able to repair or sometimes even fully regenerate its axon