Agrin and acetylcholine receptor distribution following electrical stimulation
Abstract
Electrical stimulation is a therapeutic modality available for the preservation of muscle function following peripheral nerve injury. Agrin, a synaptic basal lamina protein, induces accumulation of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and other molecules at the neuromuscular junction. Electrical stimulation of denervated muscle does not alter agrin and AChR distribution at abandoned synaptic sites, supporting the hypothesis that the existing aggregation of synaptic molecules, which may be necessary for successful reinnervation, is unaltered by electrical stimulation of denervated muscle. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21:407–409, 1998.