Neonatal Mice Spinal Cord Interneurons Send Axons through the Dorsal Roots

Spontaneous interneuron activity plays a critical role in developing neuronal networks. Discharges conducted antidromically along the dorsal root (DR) precede those from the ventral root's (VR) motoneurons. This work studied whether spinal interneurons project axons into the neonate's dorsal roots. Experiments were carried out in postnatal Swiss-Webster mice. We utilized a staining technique and found that interneurons in the spinal cord's dorsal horn send axons through the dorsal roots. In vitro electrophysiological recordings showed antidromic action potentials (dorsal root reflex; DRR) produced by depolarizing the primary afferent terminals. These reflexes appeared by stimulating the adjacent dorsal roots. We found that bicuculline reduced the DRR evoked by L5 dorsal root stimulation when recording from the L4 dorsal root. Simultaneously, the monosynaptic reflex (MR) in the L5 ventral root was not affected; nevertheless, a long-lasting after-discharge appeared. The addition of 2-amino-5 phosphonovaleric acid (AP5), an NMDA receptor antagonist, abolished the MR without changing the after-discharge. The absence of DRR and MR facilitated single action potentials in the dorsal and ventral roots that persisted even in low Ca2+ concentrations. The results suggest that firing interneurons could send their axons through the dorsal roots. These interneurons could activate motoneurons producing individual spikes recorded in the ventral roots. Identifying these interneurons and the persistence of their neuronal connectivity in adulthood remains to be established.

Automated summary

Spontaneous interneuron activity plays a critical role in developing neuronal networks. This study found that interneurons in the spinal cord's dorsal horn send axons through the dorsal roots and produce reflexes by depolarizing the primary afferent terminals. Drug experiments suggest that these reflexes are associated with L5 dorsal root stimulation and are sensitive to chemical substances. These findings suggest the presence of connections between spinal interneurons and motoneurons, and the discovery of a new presynaptic pathway.