SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY IN THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

拟议调查的目的是确定 控制着突触的特异性和可塑性。 上级颈交感神经 大鼠的神经节是选择用于研究的系统，因为它提供 有机会比较突触前和突触后 不同条件下的神经元。 这些情况都是正常的 发育，神经节前去神经后再生，侧枝发芽 通过神经节前去神经支配后的外来轴突，以及突触去除和 神经节后轴突切断后的恢复。 神经节将主要通过定量电子显微镜进行分析， 特别强调突触前末梢之间的相互作用， 突触发生过程中突触后膜的特化。 另外还有按 拟议研究的一部分将涉及开发有效的 神经节细胞超微结构定位的可靠方法 胆碱能受体及其在突触发生中的作用。 从拟议的调查中获得的结果将有助于 理解突触前和突触后神经元所施加的约束 在正常发育和损伤后发生的突触形成期间 到神经系统。

The purpose of the proposed investigation is to determine the principles which govern synaptic specificity and plasticity. The superior cervical sympathetic ganglion of the rat is the system chosen for study, since it provides the opportunity to compare the interactions between the pre- and postsynaptic neurons under several different conditions. These conditions are normal development, regeneration after preganglionic denervation, collateral sprouting by foreign axons after preganglionic denervation, and synapse removal and restoration after postganglionic axotomy. The ganglia will be analyzed primarily by quantitative electron microscopy with particular emphasis on the interactions between the presynaptic terminals and the postsynaptic membrane specializations during synaptogenesis. In addition, a portion of the proposed study will be concerned with the development of valid and reliable methods for the ultrastructural localization of the ganglionic cholinergic receptors and their role in synaptogenesis. The results obtained from the proposed investigation will contribute toward understanding the constraints imposed by the pre- and postsynaptic neurons during the synapse formation which occurs in normal development and after injury to the nervous system.