The swelling property of central nervous system nerves using x-ray diffraction.

Low-angle X-ray diffraction patterns have been recorded from cattle and rabbit optic nerves swollen in glycerol solutions. The new X-ray data have a resolution of about 15 to 16 Å. Analysis of the low-angle X-ray data indicates that the myelin layers of optic nerves swell in units of four membranes, that is, two membrane pairs adhere together during the process of swelling. Fourier syntheses of glycerol-treated cattle optic nerves are described. Differences in structure between the normal and swollen membrane pairs are apparent.