  The lateral diffusion of lipids within membrane is of paramount importance,
serving as a central mechanism in numerous physiological processes including
cell signaling, membrane trafficking, protein activity regulation, and energy
transduction pathways. This review offers a comprehensive overview of lateral
lipid diffusion in model biomembrane systems explored through the lens of
neutron scattering techniques. We examine diverse models of lateral diffusion
and explore the various factors influencing this fundamental process in
membrane dynamics. Additionally, we offer a thorough summary of how different
membrane-active compounds, including drugs, antioxidants, stimulants, and
membrane proteins, affect lipid lateral diffusion. Our analysis unveils the
intricate interplay between these additives and membranes, shedding light on
their dynamic interactions. We elucidate that this interaction is governed by a
complex combination of multiple factors including the physical state and charge
of the membrane, the concentration of additives, the molecular architecture of
the compounds, and their spatial distribution within the membrane. In
conclusion, we briefly discuss the future directions and areas requiring
further investigation in the realm of lateral lipid diffusion, highlighting the
need to study more realistic membrane systems.
