Axon conduction velocity modified by reinnervation of mammalian muscle

Abstract

WHEN Buller et al.¹ observed that cross reinnervation of fast- and slow-twitch muscles could reverse their mechanical properties, the operations had been performed in the hope of finding changes in reflex connections. The changes in muscles were of great interest and have dominated this field of research until recently, whan Kuno et al. investigated some changes in motoneurone properties following axotomy and reinnervation. Retrograde changes of some electrical properties of the soma were observed which were reversed when the nerve re-established connections with the muscle. We report here some experiments on motor units in normal and reinnervated muscles, in which we have found that the conduction velocities of regenerated axons depend on the nature of the muscle which they reinnervate.