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Long-term synapse loss induced by focal blockade of postsynaptlc receptors

Nature volume 372, pages 519–524 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

Focal application in vivo of α-bungarotoxin to block neurotransmission in a small region of a neuromuscular junction causes long-lasting synapse elimination at that site. In contrast, blockade of neurotransmission throughout a junction does not cause synapse elimination. These and related experiments indicate that active synaptic sites can destabilize inactive synapses in their vicinity.

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Author notes

  1. Rita J. Balice-Gordon

    Present address: Department of Biology, David Mahoney Institute for Neurological Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, 415 South University Avenue, Leidy Room 319, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104-6018, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8108, St Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA

    Rita J. Balice-Gordon & Jeff W. Lichtman

Authors
  1. Rita J. Balice-Gordon
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  2. Jeff W. Lichtman
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Balice-Gordon, R., Lichtman, J. Long-term synapse loss induced by focal blockade of postsynaptlc receptors. Nature 372, 519–524 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/372519a0

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