Morphological Plasticity of Central Adrenergic Neurons

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Abstract
Adrenergic neurons are widely distributed in themammalian central nervous system. There are three situations in which these neurons exhibit morphological plasticity; during ontogenetic growth, as an expression of a response to a functional adaptation in the mature nervous system, and as a regenerative response to injury. Only the latter situation, regeneration, has been studied extensively. Transected axons of central adrenergic neurons exhibit vigorous regenerative sprouting. In some situations anomalous innervation patterns are formed whereas in others, such as the reinnervation of transplants of peripheral tissue, an apparently normal and, presumably, functional innervation pattern is formed. The reinnervation of transplants is promoted by nerve growth factor administration. Intact adrenergic axons also are capable of exhibiting marked collateral sprouting in response to removal of other afferents innervating the same area. The factors controlling the latter response and its functional implications are considered.

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