THE NEURONAL CYTOSKELETON - AN INSIGHT FOR NEUROSURGEONS

The cytoskeleton is important in the structure and function of the neu ron. Disruption of the cytoskeletal proteins occurs in a variety of fo rms of acute brain injury including cerebral ischaemia and diffuse ano nal injury. The final common pathway mediating neuronal cell death inv olves loss of the integrity of the cytoskeleton and these disturbances may have a key role in the progression of events following acute brai n injury. This review aims to provide an insight into the neuronal cyt oskeleton in the normal state and in disorders encountered in neurosur gical practice.