Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons’ Dendritic Remodeling and Increased Microglial Density in Primary Motor Cortex in a Murine Model of Facial Paralysis

Figure 5

Basal dendritic spine density changes in vM1 layer 5 pyramidal neurons following facial nerve axotomy. (a) Two-dimensional computer-assisted trace of layer 5 pyramidal neuron from a representative mouse sacrificed 1 week after facial nerve lesion. The small rectangle indicates the area photographed in (b). (b) Representative microphotographs of first order dendritic spines from each experimental group. (c, d, e) Quantification of layer 5 pyramidal neurons spine density in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order basal dendrites for each experimental group. Bars and error whiskers represent the mean + SEM. 1 W, 1 week after peripheral nerve lesion; 3 W, 3 weeks after peripheral nerve lesion; .

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