Ischemic stroke-induced polyaxonal innervation at the neuromuscular junction is attenuated by robot-assisted mechanical therapy.

ABSTRACT: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability world-wide. Mounting evidence supports neuromuscular pathology following stroke, yet mechanisms of dysfunction and therapeutic action remain undefined. The objectives of our study were to investigate neuromuscular pathophysiology following ischemic stroke and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Robot-Assisted Mechanical massage Therapy (RAMT) on neuromuscular junction (NMJ) morphology. Using an ischemic stroke model in male rats, we demonstrated longitudinal losses of muscle contractility and electrophysiological estimates of motor unit number in paretic hindlimb muscles within 21 days of stroke. Histological characterization demonstrated striking pre- and postsynaptic alterations at the NMJ. Stroke prompted enlargement of motor axon termi

SUBMITTER: Balch MHH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8286354 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature