Neuromuscular Synapse (IMAGE)

Virginia Tech

Neuromuscular Synapse

Caption

The neuromuscular junction is the synapse where motor neurons communicate with muscle to initiate voluntary movement. A healthy neuromuscular junction (yellow) is characterized by perfect apposition between the motor neuron (green) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the muscle (red). This synapse is damaged early in ALS, a change believed to contribute the onset and progression of the disease.

Credit

Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute

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