Remodelling of the neuromuscular junction after subtotal disuse

Within 5 days after reduction of activity of the rat soleus muscle, there was remodelling of the neuromuscular junction. Post-synaptic clefts were shorter, wider, and flatter, whereas nerve terminals showed sprouting and longitudinal distortion. The results, which differ from those found after denervation or total disuse, reveal the plasticity of the mature neuromuscular synapse.