The signal transfer from nerve to muscle occurs by diffusion across the neuromuscular junction. The continuum level analysis of diffusion processes is based on the diffusion equation, which in one dimension is partial differential c/partial differential t=D(partial differential(2)c/partial differential x(2)) , where c is the molecular concentration and D is the diffusivity. However, in confined...

Facilitation in neuromuscular junction of frog, i. e. successive enhancement of muscle action potential by repetitive stimulation, has been considered to be due to the recruitment of numbers of muscle fibres excited through junctions. It has been generally accepted that no neuromuscular facilitation is observed in the mammalian junctions (BROWN and HARVEY, 1941), except in curarized or fatigued...

Neurotrophin signaling at the neuromuscular junction modulates cholinergic transmission and enhances neuromuscular transmission via the tropomyosin-related kinase receptor subtype B (TrkB).A novel flavonoid, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), selectively activates TrkB receptors. Using TrkB(F616A) mice that are susceptible to specific inhibition of TrkB activity by 1NMPP1, we show that neuromuscul...

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a cellular synapse between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber, enables the translation of chemical cues into physical activity. The development of this special structure has been subject to numerous investigations, but its complexity renders in vivo studies particularly difficult to perform. In vitro modeling of the neuromuscular junction represents a p...

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) have been widely used to control patients who need to be immobilized for some kind of medical intervention, such as an invasive procedure or synchronism with mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this monograph is to review the pharmacology of the NMBAs, to compare the main differences between the neuromuscular junction in neonates, infants, toddlers and a...

channelopathies are disturbances of the cellular membrane channels function. ion channels are actually membrane-bound proteins that perform key functions in virtually all human cells. these channels play pivotal role in the function of excitable tissues such as muscle and nerve. so channelopathies are diverse clinical entities involving many organs and systems (i.e., endocrine, respiratory, gas...