Nine members of the myomodulin family of peptide cotransmitters at the B16-ARC neuromuscular junction of Aplysia

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Brezina ◽  
B. Bank ◽  
E. C. Cropper ◽  
S. Rosen ◽  
F. S. Vilim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Relaxation Rate ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Ca Current ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Contraction Amplitude ◽  
K Current ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
K Currents

1. Neuromodulation by multiple related peptides with different spectra of physiological effects appears an effective way to integrate complex physiological functions. A good opportunity to examine this issue occurs in the accessory radula closer (ARC) neuromuscular circuit of Aplysia, where, extensive previous work has shown, acetylcholine-induced contractions of the muscle are variously modulated by several families of peptide cotransmitters released under appropriate behavioral circumstances from the muscle's own two motor neurons. 2. In this work we focused on the myomodulins (MMs) released from motor neuron B16. Previous work has characterized MMA (PMSMLRLamide) and MMB (GSYRMMRLamide). We now similarly purified from ARC neuromuscular material and sequenced MMC (GWSMLRLamide), MMD (GLSMLRLamide), MME (GLQMLRLamide), and MMF (SLNMLRLamide). Three additional MMs, MMG (TLSMLRLamide), MMH (GLHMLRLamide), and MMI (SLSMLRLamide), are encoded by a known MM gene. B16 probably synthesizes, and coreleases, all nine MMs. Further MMs have been found in other mollusks. All evidence indicates that the MMs are a major, widely distributed family of molluscan neuropeptides important as neuromuscular modulators and probably also central transmitters or modulators. 3. MM effects on motor neuron B16-elicited ARC muscle contractions were best analyzed as the sum of three distinct actions: potentiation, depression of the amplitude of the contractions, and acceleration of their relaxation rate. We compared the effectiveness of all nine MMs in these respects. We correlated this with their effectiveness in enhancing the L-type Ca current and activating a specific K current in voltage-clamped dissociated ARC muscle fibers, effects we previously proposed to underlie, respectively, the potentiation and the depression of contractions. 4. All nine MMs were similarly effective in enhancing the Ca current and, as far as it was possible to determine, potentiating the amplitude as well as accelerating the relaxation rate of the contractions. 5. In contrast, the MMs' ability to activate the K current and depress the contractions varied greatly. MMB and MMC, in particular, were weak, whereas the other seven MMs were considerably more effective in both respects. 6. Altogether, we were able to explain the potentiating and depressing strengths of the MMs by the magnitude of their modulation of the Ca and K currents, providing further support for our hypothesis that the effects on contraction amplitude are mediated by the effects on the two currents. 7. The net effect on contraction amplitude was determined by the balance between the potentiation and depression. Although most MM concentrations had both potentiating and depressing actions, potentiated contractions predominated at low and depressed contractions (but with accelerated relaxation rate) at high concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Multiple Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Sites of Inhibitory Modulation by Myomodulin at ARC Neuromuscular Junctions ofAplysia

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 1488-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina V. Orekhova ◽  
Vera Alexeeva ◽  
Paul J. Church ◽  
Klaudiusz R. Weiss ◽  
Vladimir Brezina
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Definitive Evidence ◽  
Multiple Parameters ◽  
Intact Muscle ◽  
Single Arc ◽  
Excitatory Junction Potentials ◽  
K Current ◽  
Neuron Terminals

The functional activity of even simple cellular ensembles is often controlled by surprisingly complex networks of neuromodulators. One such network has been extensively studied in the accessory radula closer (ARC) neuromuscular system of Aplysia. The ARC muscle is innervated by two motor neurons, B15 and B16, which release modulatory peptide cotransmitters to shape ACh-mediated contractions of the muscle. Previous analysis has shown that key to the combinatorial ability of B15 and B16 to control multiple parameters of the contraction is an asymmetry in their peptide modulatory actions. B16, but not B15, releases myomodulin, which, among other actions, inhibits the contraction. Work in single ARC muscle fibers has identified a distinctive myomodulin-activated K current as a candidate postsynaptic mechanism of the inhibition. However, definitive evidence for this mechanism has been lacking. Here, working with the single fibers and then motor neuron-elicited excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) and contractions of the intact ARC muscle, we have confirmed two central predictions of the K-current hypothesis: the myomodulin inhibition of contraction is associated with a correspondingly large inhibition of the underlying depolarization, and the inhibition of both contraction and depolarization is blocked by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a potent and selective blocker of the myomodulin-activated K current. However, in the intact muscle, the experiments revealed a second, 4-AP-resistant component of myomodulin inhibition of both B15- and B16-elicited EJPs. This component resembles, and mutually occludes with, inhibition of the EJPs by another peptide modulator released from both B15 and B16, buccalin, which acts by a presynaptic mechanism, inhibition of ACh release from the motor neuron terminals. Direct measurements of peptide release showed that myomodulin also inhibits buccalin release from B15 terminals. At the level of contractions, nevertheless, the postsynaptic K-current mechanism is responsible for much of the myomodulin inhibition of peak contraction amplitude. The presynaptic mechanism, which is most evident during the initial build-up of the EJP waveform, underlies instead an increase of contraction latency.

scholarly journals Modulation of Radula Opener Muscles in Aplysia

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 1339-1351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin G. Evans ◽  
Ferdinand S. Vilim ◽  
Orna Harish ◽  
Irving Kupfermann ◽  
Klaudiusz R. Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Relaxation Rate ◽  
Muscle Relaxation ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Muscle Complex ◽  
Myogenic Activity ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Camp Levels ◽  
Rest Length

We observed fibers immunoreactive (IR) to serotonin (5-HT), the myomodulins (MMs), and FMRFamide on the I7-I10 complex in the marine mollusk Aplysia californica. The I7–I10 muscle complex, which produces radula opening, is innervated primarily by one motor neuron, B48. B48 is MM-IR and synthesizes authentic MMA. When B48 is stimulated in a physiological manner, cAMP levels are increased in opener muscles. cAMP increases also are seen when the MMs are applied to opener muscles but are not seen with application of the B48 primary neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). Possible physiological sources of 5-HT and FMRFamide are discussed. When modulators are applied to resting opener muscles, changes in membrane potential are observed. Specifically, 5-HT, MMB, and low concentrations of MMA all depolarize muscle fibers. This depolarization is generally not sufficient to elicit myogenic activity in the absence of neural activity under “rest” conditions. However, if opener muscles are stretched beyond rest length, stretch- and modulator-induced depolarizations can summate and elicit contractions. This only occurs, however, if “depolarizing” modulators are applied alone. Thus other modulators (i.e., FMRFamide and high concentrations of MMA) hyperpolarize opener muscle fibers and can prevent depolarizing modulators from eliciting myogenic activity. All modulators tested affected parameters of motor neuron-elicited contractions of opener muscles. MMB and 5-HT increased contraction size over the range of concentrations tested, whereas MMA potentiated contractions when it was applied at lower concentrations but decreased contraction size at higher concentrations. FMRFamide decreased contraction size at all concentrations and did not affect relaxation rate. Additionally, the MMs and 5-HT increased muscle relaxation rate, decreased contraction latency, and decreased the rate at which tension was developed during motor neuron-elicited muscle contractions. Thus these modulators dramatically affect the ability of opener muscles to follow activity in the opener motor neuron B48. The possible physiological significance of these findings is discussed.

Serotonergic and Peptidergic Modulation of the Buccal Mass Protractor Muscle (I2) in Aplysia

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 2810-2820 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Hurwitz ◽  
E. C. Cropper ◽  
F. S. Vilim ◽  
V. Alexeeva ◽  
A. J. Susswein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Relaxation Rate ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Muscle Relaxation ◽  
Firing Frequency ◽  
Muscle Contractions ◽  
Contraction Amplitude ◽  
Neuronal Processes ◽  
Neuromuscular Systems ◽  
High Concentrations

Plasticity of Aplysia feeding has largely been measured by noting changes in radula protraction. On the basis of previous work, it has been suggested that peripheral modulation may contribute to behavioral plasticity. However, peripheral plasticity has not been demonstrated in the neuromuscular systems that participate in radula protraction. Therefore in this study we investigated whether contractions of a major radula protraction muscle (I2) are subject to modulation. We demonstrate, first, that an increase in the firing frequency of the cholinergic I2 motoneurons will increase the amplitude of the resulting muscle contraction but will not modulate its relaxation rate. We show, second, that neuronal processes on the I2 muscle are immunoreactive to myomodulin (MM), RFamide, and serotonin (5-HT), but not to small cardioactive peptide (SCP) or buccalin. The I2 motoneurons B31, B32, B61, and B62 are not immunoreactive to RFamide, 5-HT, SCP, or buccalin. However, all four cells are MM immunoreactive and are capable of synthesizing MMa. Third, we show that the bioactivity of the different modulators is somewhat different; while the MMs (i.e., MMa and MMb) and 5-HT increase I2 muscle relaxation rate, and potentiate muscle contraction amplitude, MMa, at high concentrations, depresses muscle contractions. Fourth, our data suggest that cAMP at least partially mediates effects of modulators on contraction amplitude and relaxation rate.

FRF peptides in the ARC neuromuscular system of Aplysia: purification and physiological actions

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 2181-2195 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Cropper ◽  
V. Brezina ◽  
F. S. Vilim ◽  
O. Harish ◽  
D. A. Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Muscle Contractions ◽  
Contraction Duration ◽  
Peptide Family ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Excitatory Junction Potentials ◽  
K Current ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Antagonistic Muscles

1. One preparation that has proven to be advantageous for the study of neuromuscular modulation is the accessory radula closer (ARC) muscle of Aplysia californica and its motor neurons B15 and B16. In this study three members of a new peptide family have been purified from this well-characterized preparation. Because these peptides terminate in Phe-Arg-Phe-amide, we have named them FRFA, FRFB, and FRFC. The FRFs are thus RFamide peptides and are related to the widely studied neuropeptide FMRFamide. 2. The FRFs are present in the ARC motor neuron B15 in small quantities. 3. When they are exogenously applied, the FRFs decrease the size of ARC muscle contractions elicited by stimulation of either motor neuron B15 or B16. They appear to do this by a combination of presynaptic and postsynaptic actions. 4. Presynaptically, the FRFs appear to act like the buccalins, another family of inhibitory ARC neuropeptides. Both families of peptides reduce the size of motor neuron-elicited excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) presumably by decreasing presynaptic acetylcholine (ACh) release. 5. Postsynaptically, the FRFs appear to depress contractions because they activate a characteristic voltage-dependent, 4-amino-pyridine-sensitive K current in the ARC muscle. The same current is activated by a second class of ARC modulators: those that exert potentiating actions at low doses and inhibitory actions at high doses, i.e., serotonin, the small cardioactive peptides (SCPs), and particularly the myomodulins. Receptors mediating activation of the K current by the FRFs and the other modulators do, however, appear to be different. 6. We hypothesize that the inhibitory actions of the FRFs prevent excessively large muscle contractions. If contraction size is limited, then contraction duration is also limited. This may allow faster and more energetically favorable switching between contractions of antagonistic muscles.

scholarly journals Evidence for Inhibitory Effects of Flupirtine, a Centrally Acting Analgesic, on Delayed Rectifier K+Currents in Motor Neuron-Like Cells

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng-Nan Wu ◽  
Ming-Chun Hsu ◽  
Yu-Kai Liao ◽  
Fang-Tzu Wu ◽  
Yuh-Jyh Jong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Gaba Receptors ◽  
Neuronal Cells ◽  
Inactivation Rate ◽  
Delayed Rectifier ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Inactivation Curve ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
K Currents

Flupirtine (Flu), a triaminopyridine derivative, is a centrally acting, non-opiate analgesic agent. In this study, effects of Flu onK+currents were explored in two types of motor neuron-like cells. Cell exposure to Flu decreased the amplitude of delayed rectifierK+current (IK(DR)) with a concomitant raise in current inactivation in NSC-34 neuronal cells. The dissociation constant for Flu-mediated increase ofIK(DR)inactivation rate was about 9.8 μM. Neither linopirdine (10 μM), NMDA (30 μM), nor gabazine (10 μM) reversed Flu-induced changes inIK(DR)inactivation. Addition of Flu shifted the inactivation curve ofIK(DR)to a hyperpolarized potential. Cumulative inactivation forIK(DR)was elevated in the presence of this compound. Flu increased the amplitude of M-typeK+current (IK(M)) and produced a leftward shift in the activation curve ofIK(M). In another neuronal cells (NG108-15), Flu reducedIK(DR)amplitude and enhanced the inactivation rate ofIK(DR). The results suggest that Flu acts as an open-channel blocker of delayed-rectifierK+channels in motor neurons. Flu-induced block ofIK(DR)is unlinked to binding to NMDA or GABA receptors and the effects of this agent onK+channels are not limited to its action on M-typeK+channels.

Characterization of the membrane ion currents of a model molluscan muscle, the accessory radula closer muscle of Aplysia californica. II. Depolarization-activated K currents

1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 2113-2125 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Brezina ◽  
C. G. Evans ◽  
K. R. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Aplysia Californica ◽  
Delayed Rectifier ◽  
Ion Currents ◽  
Ca Current ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Small Component ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
K Current ◽  
A Current ◽  
K Currents

1. The accessory radula closer (ARC) muscle of Aplysia californica and its innervation is a model preparation for the study of the neural and cellular mechanisms of behavioral plasticity. Much of the plasticity is mediated by release of neurotransmitters and peptide cotransmitters that modulate contractions of the muscle. Preliminary to investigating the cellular mechanisms of action of these modulators, we have characterized the major membrane ion currents present in the unmodulated ARC muscle and their likely roles in normal contraction. We have studied single dissociated but functionally intact ARC muscle fibers under voltage clamp. This is the second of three papers describing this work. In the preceding paper we described the electrophysiological properties of the fibers at hyperpolarized voltages, and characterized the two major hyperpolarized-activated currents present, a classical inwardly rectifying K current and a Cl current induced by elevated intracellular Cl-. 2. In this paper we dissect the large outward current that becomes activated when the fibers are depolarized above -50 or -40 mV. We find that this current consists of two major depolarization-activated K currents, a fast transient “A”-type current and a slower maintained delayed rectifier, with perhaps a small component of Ca(2+)-activated K current. 3. The A current begins to activate with voltage steps above -50 or -40 mV. It activates in milliseconds, then inactivates virtually completely within 100–200 ms. It is fully available for activation below -80 mV, and almost completely inactivated above -40 mV. It is Ca2+ independent, half-maximally blocked by approximately 3 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) but only 460 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA). 4. The delayed rectifier both activates and inactivates more slowly and more positive than the A current. Thus it begins to activate only above -30 or -20 mV; it activates in tens of milliseconds, then inactivates incompletely over several seconds; it is fully available below -70 mV and inactivated above 0 mV. It is Ca2+ independent, half-maximally blocked by 10 mM TEA and 3–10 mM 4-AP. 5. In the following paper we describe a depolarization-activated Ca current that underlies the K currents and most likely provides Ca2+ necessary for contraction of the muscle. By activating simultaneously with the Ca current, the K currents serve to prevent spikes, so that the depolarization is confined to a range where small voltage changes provide fine control over a wide range of contraction strengths.

Nonspecific inhibition of adenosine-activated K+ current by glibenclamide in guinea pig atrial myocytes

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (6) ◽  
pp. H2430-H2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Song ◽  
M. Srinivas ◽  
L. Belardinelli
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Katp Channel ◽  
Katp Channels ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Muscarinic Agonist ◽  
Atrial Myocytes ◽  
Similar Inhibitory Effect ◽  
K Current ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
K Currents

The ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel blocker glibenclamide was reported to inhibit the K+ current activated by adenosine. This study investigated whether the inhibition by glibenclamide of the adenosine-induced current is due to a specific blockade of KATP channels in guinea pig atrial myocytes. In the absence of adenosine, the basal background current was an inward rectifier K+ current (IK1). Glibenclamide at concentrations of 10, 30, and 100 microM reduced the basal background K+ current by 15 +/- 6, 43 +/- 10, and 63 +/- 11%, respectively. In the presence of adenosine (10 microM), glibenclamide (30 microM) decreased the adenosine-induced K+ current by 39 +/- 3%. A similar inhibitory effect of glibenclamide on the outward K+ currents activated by either the muscarinic agonist carbachol or the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate was observed. A low concentration (1 microM) of glibenclamide did not significantly attenuate the current elicited by adenosine, although it completely abolished the outward K+ current activated by pinacidil, a KATP channel opener. Thus we conclude that the inhibition of adenosine-induced K+ current by glibenclamide at high concentrations (> 1 microM) is not due to a specific blockade of KATP channels, but rather, resulted from a blockade of IK1.

scholarly journals Global transcriptome profile of the developmental principles of in vitro iPSC-to-motor neuron differentiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Solomon ◽  
Katie Davis-Anderson ◽  
Blake Hovde ◽  
Sofiya Micheva-Viteva ◽  
Jennifer Foster Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Neural Stem Cells ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Gene Networks ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Regulatory Gene ◽  
Transcriptome Profile

Abstract Background Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have opened new avenues for regenerative medicine. Consequently, iPSC-derived motor neurons have emerged as potentially viable therapies for spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative disorders including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. However, direct clinical application of iPSC bears in itself the risk of tumorigenesis and other unforeseeable genetic or epigenetic abnormalities. Results Employing RNA-seq technology, we identified and characterized gene regulatory networks triggered by in vitro chemical reprogramming of iPSC into cells with the molecular features of motor neurons (MNs) whose function in vivo is to innervate effector organs. We present meta-transcriptome signatures of 5 cell types: iPSCs, neural stem cells, motor neuron progenitors, early motor neurons, and mature motor neurons. In strict response to the chemical stimuli, along the MN differentiation axis we observed temporal downregulation of tumor growth factor-β signaling pathway and consistent activation of sonic hedgehog, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch signaling. Together with gene networks defining neuronal differentiation (neurogenin 2, microtubule-associated protein 2, Pax6, and neuropilin-1), we observed steady accumulation of motor neuron-specific regulatory genes, including Islet-1 and homeobox protein HB9. Interestingly, transcriptome profiling of the differentiation process showed that Ca2+ signaling through cAMP and LPC was downregulated during the conversion of the iPSC to neural stem cells and key regulatory gene activity of the pathway remained inhibited until later stages of motor neuron formation. Pathways shaping the neuronal development and function were well-represented in the early motor neuron cells including, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, axon guidance, and the cholinergic synapse formation. A notable hallmark of our in vitro motor neuron maturation in monoculture was the activation of genes encoding G-coupled muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and downregulation of the ionotropic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expression. We observed the formation of functional neuronal networks as spontaneous oscillations in the extracellular action potentials recorded on multi-electrode array chip after 20 days of differentiation. Conclusions Detailed transcriptome profile of each developmental step from iPSC to motor neuron driven by chemical induction provides the guidelines to novel therapeutic approaches in the re-construction efforts of muscle innervation.

scholarly journals Lipidomics study of plasma from patients suggest that ALS and PLS are part of a continuum of motor neuron disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Estela Area-Gomez ◽  
D. Larrea ◽  
T. Yun ◽  
Y. Xu ◽  
J. Hupf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Motor Dysfunction ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Progressive Muscle Weakness ◽  
Human Pathology ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractMotor neuron disorders (MND) include a group of pathologies that affect upper and/or lower motor neurons. Among them, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive muscle weakness, with fatal outcomes only in a few years after diagnosis. On the other hand, primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), a more benign form of MND that only affects upper motor neurons, results in life-long progressive motor dysfunction. Although the outcomes are quite different, ALS and PLS present with similar symptoms at disease onset, to the degree that both disorders could be considered part of a continuum. These similarities and the lack of reliable biomarkers often result in delays in accurate diagnosis and/or treatment. In the nervous system, lipids exert a wide variety of functions, including roles in cell structure, synaptic transmission, and multiple metabolic processes. Thus, the study of the absolute and relative concentrations of a subset of lipids in human pathology can shed light into these cellular processes and unravel alterations in one or more pathways. In here, we report the lipid composition of longitudinal plasma samples from ALS and PLS patients initially, and after 2 years following enrollment in a clinical study. Our analysis revealed common aspects of these pathologies suggesting that, from the lipidomics point of view, PLS and ALS behave as part of a continuum of motor neuron disorders.

scholarly journals Poor Corticospinal Motor Neuron Health Is Associated with Increased Symptom Severity in the Acute Phase Following Repetitive Mild TBI and Predicts Early ALS Onset in Genetically Predisposed Rodents

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Mor R. Alkaslasi ◽  
Noell E. Cho ◽  
Navpreet K. Dhillon ◽  
Oksana Shelest ◽  
Patricia S. Haro-Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Established Risk Factor ◽  
Early Injury ◽  
Corticospinal Motor Neurons ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a well-established risk factor for several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, however, a link between TBI and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has not been clearly elucidated. Using the SOD1G93A rat model known to recapitulate the human ALS condition, we found that exposure to mild, repetitive TBI lead ALS rats to experience earlier disease onset and shortened survival relative to their sham counterparts. Importantly, increased severity of early injury symptoms prior to the onset of ALS disease symptoms was linked to poor health of corticospinal motor neurons and predicted worsened outcome later in life. Whereas ALS rats with only mild behavioral injury deficits exhibited no observable changes in corticospinal motor neuron health and did not present with early onset or shortened survival, those with more severe injury-related deficits exhibited alterations in corticospinal motor neuron health and presented with significantly earlier onset and shortened lifespan. While these studies do not imply that TBI causes ALS, we provide experimental evidence that head injury is a risk factor for earlier disease onset in a genetically predisposed ALS population and is associated with poor health of corticospinal motor neurons.

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