Electrical activity of mouse motor nerve terminals

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cellular Physiology

Background:

• The electrical excitability of mammalian motor nerve terminals is debated.
• Recent studies have questioned the electrical excitability of these terminals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the electrical excitability of presynaptic motor nerve terminals in mouse intercostalis intimi muscles.
• To directly address the controversy regarding mammalian terminal excitability.

Main Methods:

• Direct visualization of presynaptic motor nerve terminals in vitro.
• Focal extracellular recording techniques were employed.
• Measurement of ionic currents at nerve terminal sites of transmitter release.

Main Results:

• A net inward current was demonstrated distally in the motor nerve terminals.
• This finding provides direct evidence for electrical activity at the terminal.

Conclusions:

• Mammalian motor nerve terminals are electrically excitable.
• The results contradict recent claims suggesting a lack of electrical excitability in these structures.