Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

The Fibular Nerve Injury Method: A Reliable Assay to Identify and Test Factors That Repair Neuromuscular Junctions
Published on: August 11, 2016
Neurotrophic factors: effects in modulating properties of the neuromuscular endplate
1Klinische Forschergruppe Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Germany. sendtner@mail.uni-wurzburg.de
Abstract:
Besides their function in supporting neuronal survival, neurotrophic factors influence various functional properties of responsive neurons. In particular the role of these molecules in activity-mediated synaptic modulation has attracted great interest. Motoneurons and their specific synapses with muscle cells, the neuromuscular endplates, are well-characterized structures which have been known for long to depend on trophic support, at least during development. This review summarizes recent findings about the role of neurotrophic factors in modulating synaptic efficacy of neuromuscular synapses, both in an activity-dependent and -independent fashion.
Related Concept Videos
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
The Neuromuscular Junction
Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open.

