ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the analytical techniques for the study of axoplasmic transport. The analytical techniques are different types: Physiological/Biochemical methods and physical methods. The Physiological/Biochemical methods include segmental analysis, ligation and accumulation technique, combination of tracer and accumulation technique, and biochemical analysis of transported materials. The physical methods include direct-monitoring techniques, and optical methods. Segmental Analysis procedure entails the injection of a small amount of radiolabeled precursors into the proximity of well-defined neuron cell bodies. Accumulation techniques offer certain advantages over the segmental analysis, as they allow the determination of bidirectional flow of endogenous materials. There are a number of intraneuronal components which are transported in small amounts, thus making their detection difficult by either the tracer or ligation method. The identification of the various materials being transported in nerve depends heavily on biochemical techniques designed for specific purposes. Physical methods as a means to study axoplasmic transport are relatively new and still under development.
