Axoplasmic Flow in Human Sural Nerve

Abstract

Axoplasmic flow was studied in biopsied sural nerve from ten patients using the Nomarski differential interference contrast technique. These represent the first reported observations of this transport system in human peripheral nerve. Seven of the patients had neuropathies, two had myopathies, and one had no objective evidence of neurological disease. Phenomenologically, the movements of mitochondria and spherical particles closely resembled those previously reported in experimental animals. Although no disease-specific abnormalities were demonstrable, the foundation for future studies has been laid. New observations on the participation of mitochondria in the "fast" component of axoplasmic flow are presented.