Neuromuscular junction electrophysiology

Angaut-Petit D, Molgo J, Cornelia JX etal. (1990) Terminal sprouting in mouse neuromuscular junctions poisoned with botulinum type A toxin morphological and electrophysiological features. Neuroscience. 37 799-808. 

The time sequence for susceptibility to melano-cortin exposure during neuromuscular growth corresponds with the critical period for neuromuscular junction maturation and ceases when polyneuronal innervation is eliminated. It also correlates with the electrophysiological and behavioral evidence of accelerated functional maturity, as discussed in the following paragraphs. 

Soon after development of OP insecticides such as parathion, extensive electrophysiological studies were commenced for the purpose of elucidating the physiological rnechani.sm of action of OPs/CMs on the insect nervous system. The.se studies were conducted almost at the same time as nonmedical CM anti-ChEs were examined. Many of these studies conducted in the late 1940s through the early 1960s involved vertebrate neuromuscular junctions and insect. synaptic transmission. The effects of OPs/CMs on insect synapse,s are described later. 

Most of the earlier studies on these toxins were concerned about the structural, pharmacological and electrophysiological aspects. At the neuromuscular junction, these presynaptic neurotoxins have been shown to affect neuromuscular transmission. The time courses vary with the toxins and the experimental conditions. An initial decrease in neurotransmission followed by a transient increase is most common. And in the final stage, when sufficient amounts were used, all of these toxins cause neuromuscular blockade. 

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