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Reorganization Of Ia Afferent Synapses On Motoneurons After Peripheral Nerve Injuries, Haley E. Titus

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After peripheral nerve injuries patients lose and do not recover the stretch reflex which leads to altered locomotor function. The focus of this thesis is to investigate the structural integrity of the central connection between Ia afferents and alpha motoneurons that mediate the stretch reflex. The overall hypothesis is that the density and distribution of Ia synapses on motoneurons is altered after peripheral nerve injuries. Analysis of Ia afferent-motoneuron contacts, revealed by vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) immunoreactivity, on the soma and dendritic arbor of motoneurons after peripheral nerve injuries revealed major reorganizations in the distribution and density of Ia …