Ephaptic transmission in chronically damaged peripheral nerves

Neurology. 1979 Jul;29(7):1061-4. doi: 10.1212/wnl.29.7.1061.

Abstract

Several weeks after damage of the sciatic nerve in adult rats, a stable electrical (ephaptic) interaction forms between pairs of injured sensory and motor axons. Fiber-fiber interaction occurs when the nerve ends in a neuroma, after end-to-end nerve suture and after nerve crush injury. Unlike the transient "artificial synapse" created acutely on section of a nerve, this form of crosstalk is long-lasting. Its existence lends support to the hypothesis that ephaptic interaction is an important factor in neurologic pathophysiology.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Neural Conduction*
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Rats
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / physiopathology*