Anoxic/ischemic injury in axons

Nerve fibers in both the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system must maintain adequate membrane polarization and transmembrane ion gradients to sustain action potential propagation and maintain normal biochemical homeostasis for survival. Maintenance of adequate transmembrane ion gradients is the single most expensive task performed by nerve fibers. Axons are critically dependent on adequate supplies of oxygen and glucose for normal function and survival. Anoxia/ischemia-the pathological state wherein one of both substrates is limited-is a major mechanism of injury in many human diseases involving both central and peripheral axons. This chapter reviews cellular energy metabolism as it relates to axons.