2010.03.24 - Art English - Motor neuron synapses decay w/o neurotrophins

Synaptic stripping of motorneurons

• Synapses strip off of muscles only when axons are cut. Afferents being cut or TTX blocking does not cause the synaptic stripping.
• Stripping is blocked by neurotrophins.
• Cutting nerve to medial gastrocnemeus causes stripping on gastroc and soleus. NT-3 blocked synaptic stripping best out of the neurotrophins.
• Treadmill training enhances axon regeneration, reduces stripping and also increases BDNF and NT-4/5