INABIS '98 - Magnitude, Laterality, and Uniformity of Swelling in Axotomized Spinal Motoneurons. Lack of Evidence for Influence by the Distal Stump.

Magnitude, Laterality, and Uniformity of Swelling in Axotomized Spinal Motoneurons. Lack of Evidence for Influence by the Distal Stump.
McILwain, D.L. (Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Univ. of N. Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA)
Hoke, V.B. (Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Univ. of N. Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA)

Contact Person: David L. McIlwain (dlmc@med.unc.edu)

Abstract

Injury to frog lumbar motor axons produces a coordinated, allometric enlargement of the nucleolus, nucleus and cell body of the injured neuron. The mechanisms by which swelling is initiated and sustained are not known. In this study, we have sought evidence for a role of the severed distal stump in the magnitude, laterality and uniformity of the swelling response in frog spinal motoneurons. We find that swelling of motoneuron nucleoli, nuclei and perikarya after unilateral spinal nerve transection is exclusively ipsilateral and uniform among motoneurons of different sizes. Removal of the severed distal stump does not affect the magnitude, unilaterality or uniformity of the swelling responses. Thus, the distal stump appears to play no role in initiating swelling following spinal nerve transection.

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Poster Number PAmcilwain0688
Keywords: motoneuron, injury, swelling, distal stump, frog

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McILwain, D.L.; Hoke, V.B.; (1998). Magnitude, Laterality, and Uniformity of Swelling in Axotomized Spinal Motoneurons. Lack of Evidence for Influence by the Distal Stump.. Presented at INABIS '98 - 5th Internet World Congress on Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, Canada, Dec 7-16th. Available at URL http://www.mcmaster.ca/inabis98/neuroscience/mcilwain0688/index.html