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Convergent pre-motoneuronal inputs to single trigeminal motoneurons.
M Nonaka1, A Nishimura, S Nakamura
1Department of Oral Anesthesia, Showa University School of Dentistry, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.
Journal of Dental Research
|July 10, 2012
Summary
Neonatal trigeminal motoneurons receive convergent glutamatergic inputs from multiple brainstem regions. The lateral supratrigeminal region specifically targets masseter motoneurons with burst inputs, aiding neonatal oro-motor functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Trigeminal motoneurons are crucial for oro-motor functions.
- Pre-motor neuron populations are distributed across several brainstem nuclei.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the convergent synaptic inputs to masseter motoneurons (MMNs) and digastric motoneurons (DMNs) from various pre-motor regions.
- To characterize the properties of these inputs in neonatal rats.
Main Methods:
- Whole-cell recordings in brainstem slices from P1-5 neonatal rats.
- Laser photolysis of caged glutamate to stimulate pre-motor regions (SupV, IntV, PrV, dRt).
- Pharmacological blockade of inhibitory neurotransmission (GABA(A) and glycine receptors).
Main Results:
- Photostimulation induced postsynaptic currents (PSCs) in a majority of MMNs and DMNs.
- The lateral supratrigeminal (SupV) region preferentially induced burst PSCs in MMNs compared to DMNs or low-frequency PSCs.
- These effects persisted after blocking inhibitory receptors, indicating glutamatergic transmission.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal MMNs and DMNs receive convergent glutamatergic inputs from the SupV, IntV, PrV, and dRt.
- The lateral SupV provides predominantly burst inputs to MMNs.
- Convergent pre-motoneuronal inputs likely play a role in neonatal oro-motor function development.
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