What are the Key Stages of Wallerian Degeneration?
Wallerian degeneration occurs in several stages:
Injury: The axon is severed, leading to the separation of the distal segment from the cell body. Degeneration: The distal segment undergoes rapid degeneration within 24-48 hours. This includes the breakdown of the axonal cytoskeleton and myelin sheath. Macrophage Infiltration:Macrophages and Schwann cells clear the debris of the axon and myelin. Regeneration: Schwann cells form Bands of Büngner, which guide the regrowth of the axon towards its original target.
