1. CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC. (1960) Synaptic action during and after repetitive stimulation. J Physiol 150:374-98.

NeuronCompartmentPropertyConnectivityNotes
Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cellSomaAMPAIa afferents release GLUGlu from Ia axon terminals (reviewed in Intracellular recordings: CMQX and NBQX applied at the soma completely block short duration (i.e. near soma) single fiber EPSPs (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). see Burke 1998 for references). Single-fiber Ia EPSPs have widely varying shapes (KUNO M, 19643 ). (Burke RE, 19674 ). (Jack JJ et al, 19715 ). (Mendell LM and Henneman E, 19716 ). indicating that Ia synapses are distributed widely over soma-dendrites (confirmed by HRP labelling of Ia afferents on labelled motoneurones: reviewed in (Burke RE and Glenn LL, 1996 [cat]7 ). SOBiv p88). Glutamate is released from Ia terminals Ia synapses are immunoreactive for GLU (Maxwell DJ et al, 1990 [cat]8 ). Ia EPSPs are mediated largely by AMPA receptors (muscle afferents: (Jahr CE and Yoshioka K, 1986 [rat]9 ). single fiber EPSPs: (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). by contrast, (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). found an NMDA component in neonatal rat. Short-term post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) and depression (PTD) occur (CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC, 19601 ). but not LTP or LTD (SOBiv p90).Motoneurons have a high density of AMPA receptors (Vandenberghe et al, JNS 20: 7158, 2000). There is evidence that "glutamate receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx, intracellular Ca2+ accumulation, and subsequent cell death" may be involved in the mechanism of selective motoneuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cellSomaNMDAIa afferents release GLUGlu from Ia axon terminals (reviewed in (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). Single-fiber Ia EPSPs have widely varying shapes (KUNO M, 19643 ). (Burke RE, 19674 ). (Jack JJ et al, 19715 ). (Mendell LM and Henneman E, 19716 ). indicating that Ia synapses are distributed widely over soma-dendrites (confirmed by HRP labelling of Ia afferents on labelled motoneurones: reviewed in (Burke RE and Glenn LL, 1996 [cat]7 ). SOBiv p88). Glutamate is released from Ia terminals Ia synapses are immunoreactive for GLU (Maxwell DJ et al, 1990 [cat]8 ). Ia EPSPs are mediated largely by AMPA receptors (muscle afferents: (Jahr CE and Yoshioka K, 1986 [rat]9 ). single fiber EPSPs: (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). by contrast, (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). found an NMDA component in neonatal rat. Short-term post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) and depression (PTD) occur (CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC, 19601 ). but not LTP or LTD (SOBiv p90).Postnatal development and properties of these receptors were studied with whole-cell and outside-out patch-clamp. The conductance and relative distribution were independent of age from postnatal day 4 to 14. The results also suggested that their properties differ from those in spinal cord interneurons (Palecek JI et al, 1999 [rat]11 ).
Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cellDistal equivalent dendriteNMDAIa afferents release GLUSingle-fiber Ia EPSPs have widely varying shapes (KUNO M, 19643 ). (Burke RE, 19674 ). (Jack JJ et al, 19715 ). (Mendell LM and Henneman E, 19716 ). indicating that Ia synapses are distributed widely over soma-dendrites (confirmed by HRP labelling of Ia afferents on labelled motoneurones: reviewed in (Burke RE and Glenn LL, 1996 [cat]7 ). SOBiv p88). Glutamate is released from Ia terminals Ia synapses are immunoreactive for GLU (Maxwell DJ et al, 1990 [cat]8 ). Ia EPSPs are mediated largely by AMPA receptors (muscle afferents: (Jahr CE and Yoshioka K, 1986 [rat]9 ). single fiber EPSPs: (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). by contrast, (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). found an NMDA component in neonatal rat. Short-term post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) and depression (PTD) occur (CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC, 19601 ). but not LTP or LTD (SOBiv p90).
Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cellDistal equivalent dendriteAMPAIa afferents release GLUSingle-fiber Ia EPSPs have widely varying shapes (KUNO M, 19643 ). (Burke RE, 19674 ). (Jack JJ et al, 19715 ). (Mendell LM and Henneman E, 19716 ). indicating that Ia synapses are distributed widely over soma-dendrites (confirmed by HRP labelling of Ia afferents on labelled motoneurones: reviewed in (Burke RE and Glenn LL, 1996 [cat]7 ). SOBiv p88). Glutamate is released from Ia terminals Ia synapses are immunoreactive for GLU (Maxwell DJ et al, 1990 [cat]8 ). Ia EPSPs are mediated largely by AMPA receptors (muscle afferents: (Jahr CE and Yoshioka K, 1986 [rat]9 ). single fiber EPSPs: (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). by contrast, (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). found an NMDA component in neonatal rat. Short-term post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) and depression (PTD) occur (CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC, 19601 ). but not LTP or LTD (SOBiv p90).
Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cellMiddle equivalent dendriteAMPAIa afferents release GLUSingle-fiber Ia EPSPs have widely varying shapes (KUNO M, 19643 ). (Burke RE, 19674 ). (Jack JJ et al, 19715 ). (Mendell LM and Henneman E, 19716 ). indicating that Ia synapses are distributed widely over soma-dendrites (confirmed by HRP labelling of Ia afferents on labelled motoneurones: reviewed in (Burke RE and Glenn LL, 1996 [cat]7 ). SOBiv p88). Glutamate is released from Ia terminals Ia synapses are immunoreactive for GLU (Maxwell DJ et al, 1990 [cat]8 ). Ia EPSPs are mediated largely by AMPA receptors (muscle afferents: (Jahr CE and Yoshioka K, 1986 [rat]9 ). single fiber EPSPs: (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). by contrast, (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). found an NMDA component in neonatal rat. Short-term post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) and depression (PTD) occur (CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC, 19601 ). but not LTP or LTD (SOBiv p90).
Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cellMiddle equivalent dendriteNMDAIa afferents release GLUSingle-fiber Ia EPSPs have widely varying shapes (KUNO M, 19643 ). (Burke RE, 19674 ). (Jack JJ et al, 19715 ). (Mendell LM and Henneman E, 19716 ). indicating that Ia synapses are distributed widely over soma-dendrites (confirmed by HRP labelling of Ia afferents on labelled motoneurones: reviewed in (Burke RE and Glenn LL, 1996 [cat]7 ). SOBiv p88). Glutamate is released from Ia terminals Ia synapses are immunoreactive for GLU (Maxwell DJ et al, 1990 [cat]8 ). Ia EPSPs are mediated largely by AMPA receptors (muscle afferents: (Jahr CE and Yoshioka K, 1986 [rat]9 ). single fiber EPSPs: (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). by contrast, (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). found an NMDA component in neonatal rat. Short-term post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) and depression (PTD) occur (CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC, 19601 ). but not LTP or LTD (SOBiv p90).
Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cellProximal equivalent dendriteNMDAIa afferents release GLUGlu from Ia axon terminals (reviewed in (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). Single-fiber Ia EPSPs have widely varying shapes (KUNO M, 19643 ). (Burke RE, 19674 ). (Jack JJ et al, 19715 ). (Mendell LM and Henneman E, 19716 ). indicating that Ia synapses are distributed widely over soma-dendrites (confirmed by HRP labelling of Ia afferents on labelled motoneurones: reviewed in (Burke RE and Glenn LL, 1996 [cat]7 ). SOBiv p88). Glutamate is released from Ia terminals Ia synapses are immunoreactive for GLU (Maxwell DJ et al, 1990 [cat]8 ). Ia EPSPs are mediated largely by AMPA receptors (muscle afferents: (Jahr CE and Yoshioka K, 1986 [rat]9 ). single fiber EPSPs: (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). by contrast, (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). found an NMDA component in neonatal rat. Short-term post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) and depression (PTD) occur (CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC, 19601 ). but not LTP or LTD (SOBiv p90).
Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cellProximal equivalent dendriteAMPAIa afferents release GLUGlu from Ia axon terminals (reviewed in Intracellular recordings: CMQX and NBQX applied at the soma completely block short duration (i.e. near soma) single fiber EPSPs (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). see Burke 1998 for references). Single-fiber Ia EPSPs have widely varying shapes (KUNO M, 19643 ). (Burke RE, 19674 ). (Jack JJ et al, 19715 ). (Mendell LM and Henneman E, 19716 ). indicating that Ia synapses are distributed widely over soma-dendrites (confirmed by HRP labelling of Ia afferents on labelled motoneurones: reviewed in (Burke RE and Glenn LL, 1996 [cat]7 ). SOBiv p88). Glutamate is released from Ia terminals Ia synapses are immunoreactive for GLU (Maxwell DJ et al, 1990 [cat]8 ). Ia EPSPs are mediated largely by AMPA receptors (muscle afferents: (Jahr CE and Yoshioka K, 1986 [rat]9 ). single fiber EPSPs: (Walmsley B and Bolton PS, 1994 [cat]2 ). by contrast, (Pinco M and Lev-Tov A, 1993 [rat]10 ). found an NMDA component in neonatal rat. Short-term post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) and depression (PTD) occur (CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC, 19601 ). but not LTP or LTD (SOBiv p90).

Classical References: first publications on each compartmental property; search PubMed for complete list
1.  CURTIS DR and ECCLES JC. (1960) Synaptic action during and after repetitive stimulation. J Physiol 150:374-98.
2.  Walmsley B and Bolton PS. (1994) An in vivo pharmacological study of single group Ia fibre contacts with motoneurones in the cat spinal cord. J Physiol 481 ( Pt 3):731-41.
3.  KUNO M. (1964) QUANTAL COMPONENTS OF EXCITATORY SYNAPTIC POTENTIALS IN SPINAL MOTONEURONES. J Physiol 175:81-99.
4.  Burke RE. (1967) Composite nature of the monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potential. J Neurophysiol 30:1114-37 [Journal] .
5.  Jack JJ, Miller S, Porter R and Redman SJ. (1971) The time course of minimal excitory post-synaptic potentials evoked in spinal motoneurones by group Ia afferent fibres. J Physiol 215:353-80.
6.  Mendell LM and Henneman E. (1971) Terminals of single Ia fibers: location, density, and distribution within a pool of 300 homonymous motoneurons. J Neurophysiol 34:171-87 [Journal] .
7.  Burke RE and Glenn LL. (1996) Horseradish peroxidase study of the spatial and electrotonic distribution of group Ia synapses on type-identified ankle extensor motoneurons in the cat. J Comp Neurol 372:465-85 [Journal] .
8.  Maxwell DJ, Christie WM, Short AD and Brown AG. (1990) Direct observations of synapses between GABA-immunoreactive boutons and muscle afferent terminals in lamina VI of the cat's spinal cord. Brain Res 530:215-22.
9.  Jahr CE and Yoshioka K. (1986) Ia afferent excitation of motoneurones in the in vitro new-born rat spinal cord is selectively antagonized by kynurenate. J Physiol 370:515-30.
10.  Pinco M and Lev-Tov A. (1993) Synaptic excitation of alpha-motoneurons by dorsal root afferents in the neonatal rat spinal cord. J Neurophysiol 70:406-17 [Journal] .
11.  Palecek JI, Abdrachmanova G, Vlachová V and Vyklick L. (1999) Properties of NMDA receptors in rat spinal cord motoneurons. Eur J Neurosci 11:827-36.