Quantitative ultrastructure of synapses on functionally identified primary afferent neurons in the cat trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus

Experimental Brain Research
S HonmaY Shigenaga

Abstract

Though a number of studies have reported the presence of synapses on neurons in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (Vmes), there have been no quantitative studies of either the density of innervation, or the ultrastructure, of the synapses on single, physiologically identified neurons in this nucleus. In this study we recorded from single neurons in the Vmes, identified them as being either muscle spindle afferents (MS) or periodontal ligament mechanoreceptor afferents (PL), and then labeled the neurons by intra-axonal injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The material was first processed to reveal the HRP activity, following which ultrathin sections through the labeled somata were cut and examined under the electron microscope. Complete serial reconstructions were made through the soma of one MS neuron and one PL neuron, and the contacts on the neurons reconstructed. Boutons were found on the soma, spines, appendages and the axon hillock and the initial segment of the axon. The numbers of boutons terminating on the two neurons were 198 (PL) and 424 (MS), giving a packing density of 4.4 and 10.7 boutons respectively (i.e., number of boutons/100 micron 2 of the postsynaptic membrane). Boutons could be separated into two t...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 6, 2004·Progress in Neurobiology·John B FurnessNadine Clerc
Dec 6, 2012·Nature Communications·Kazuto OhashiKousaku Murata
Oct 5, 2007·Brain Research Reviews·Nikolai E Lazarov
Jul 28, 2006·American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology·Allen KaasikVladimir Veksler
Dec 19, 2002·Neuroreport·Hisayoshi Ishii, Youngnam Kang

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