Neural network analysis after the "cross-link" surgery between facial nerve and hypoglossal nerve

带感觉神经的面神经与舌下神经交叉连接移植治疗面神经麻痹效果显著。这是一种非常有趣的手术方法，尽管还没有对新形成的神经回路进行基础研究。我们建立了大鼠交联性神经移植模型，并介绍了神经示踪法。在我们的实验中，顺行标记显示舌下神经的轴突穿过移植的神经并延伸到面神经束。另一方面，在逆行标记研究中，轴突从面核伸向舌下神经束，从舌下核伸向面神经束。这些数据表明，轴突的交叉是由交叉连接神经移植引起的。

Cross-Link nerve grafting technique between facial nerve and hypoglossal nerve with grafted sensory nerve for facial nerve palsy has demonstrated effectiveness in patients. This is very interesting surgical method, though no basic research has been performed to analyze the newly formed neural circuit. We constructed the rat cross-link nerve grafted model and introduced the neural tracer method. In our experiment, anterograde labeling showed that axons of hypoglossal neuron pass through the grafted nerve and extend to facial nerve bundle. On the other hand, in retrograde labeling study, axons from facial nucleolus extend to hypoglossal nerve bundle and from hypoglossal nucleous to facial nerve bundle. These data suggest that crossing of axons are caused by the Cross-Link nerve grafting.