Cellular organisation of peripheral nerve and the neuromuscular junction

The organisation of cells in the peripheral nervous system is crucial for its proper function. Action potential generation, conduction and synaptic transmission to the muscle fibres are dependent not only on cells directly implicated in these functions (i.e. neurons and muscle fibers) but also on accessory cells with important modulatory roles. These cells are also essential for adaptive responses by the peripheral nervous system during development, injury and pathological conditions. Schwann cells represent one of the principal cellular components regulating nerve function. In peripheral nerves, myelin-forming Schwann cells specify distinct domains in the axon, allowing fast and efficient propagation of the action potential. At the neuromuscular junction, terminal Schwann cells are necessary for stability of motor nerve terminals and motor endplates and they are involved in plastic responses of the neuromuscular system to injury and in disease.

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Edinburgh

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Court, Felipe A.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1842/35341

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:era.ed.ac.uk:1842/35341