flip-flop

flip-flop

Simulation showing synaptic rearrangement at a single neuromuscular junction via competition

10mo ago
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Description

"Approximately 1,000 frame simulation showing the synaptic rearrangement process at a single neuromuscular junction. There are initially six axons. Each axon is labeled a different color. The postsynaptic receptors are not shown and assumed to be unchanging during the course of the simulation. At each frame a synaptic contact is randomly selected for withdrawal and one of the axons adjacent to the vacated site is randomly selected to grow and occupy the vacated site. Note the rapid loss of inputs early in the simulation process (first half) and the prolonged period of dual innervation (second half). There is also evidence of progressive segregation of contacts [29], flip-flop [4], and ultimately the transition to single innervation." http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.1001352