title: Long-term synapse loss induced by focal blockade of postsynaptic receptors.
abstract: Focal application in vivo of alpha-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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Balice-Gordon
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lichtman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D051379:Mice; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002038:Bungarotoxins; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic