Diaphragm neuromuscular transmission failure in aged rats

• Published in: Journal of neurophysiology Vol. 122; no. 1; pp. 93 - 104
• Main Authors: Fogarty, Matthew J., Gonzalez Porras, Maria A., Mantilla, Carlos B., Sieck, Gary C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Physiological Society 01.07.2019
• Series: Nervous System Pathophysiology
• Subjects: Aging - physiology; Animals; Diaphragm - growth & development; Diaphragm - innervation; Diaphragm - physiology; Female; Male; Motor Neurons - physiology; Muscle Fatigue; Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch - physiology; Neuromuscular Junction - physiology; Phrenic Nerve - growth & development; Phrenic Nerve - physiology; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Synaptic Potentials; neuromuscular transmission; neuromotor control; aging; diaphragm muscle; sarcopenia

In aging Fischer 344 rats, phrenic motor neuron loss, neuromuscular junction abnormalities, and diaphragm muscle (DIAm) sarcopenia are present by 24 mo of age, with larger fast-twitch fatigue-intermediate (type FInt) and fast-twitch fatigable (type FF) motor units particularly vulnerable. We hypothe...