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Sarah Hodges ‘04

Hodges SH, Anderson AL, Connor NP. Remodeling of neuromuscular junctions in aged rat genioglossus muscle. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 2003, 113: 175-179. (See Award Below)

Neuromuscular junction from an aged rat genioglossus muscle. Scale bar =?m.Speech and swallowing disorders represent a large clinical problem in elderly persons. The tongue has a vital role in both of these functions, and poor lingual control is associated with both speech and swallowing impairment. However, muscles of the tongue have been understudied in aging research, presumably due to the technical challenge created by the complex, overlapping architecture of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. Previous studies in limb and laryngeal muscles suggest that age-related musculoskeletal changes may be characterized by remodeling of muscles, nerves and their connection at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). To determine if dynamic remodeling of NMJ structure is found in the tongue as a function of aging, tongues from 10 aged and 10 young Fischer 344/Brown Norway rats were quickly excised and frozen after animals were euthanized. A fluorescent, triple label, immunohistochemical technique was then used with genioglossus (GG) muscle samples to allow confocal microscopic visualization of receptor clusters, nerve terminals, axons, and synaptic vesicles. Computer-assisted image analysis was performed and quantitative measurements of superficial NMJs were made. We found that normal axon terminals and receptor clusters were easily identified in young rat GG muscles, while aging appeared to induce sprout-like nerve terminal remodeling and receptor dispersal. These results suggest that NMJ remodeling is found in aged GG muscles and may underlie the progressive neuromuscular changes observed in the elderly.

Figure: Neuromuscular junction from an aged rat genioglossus muscle. Scale bar = microns.

Award

Hodges SH, Anderson A, Connor NP.

"Neuromuscular junction changes in aged rat genioglossus muscle. "

Steven Dean Gray Resident Essay Contest, 1st place, American Broncho-Esophagological Association - Nashville, TN, May 5, 2003.

 

 

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