Question

[KEN ROSENBLUM <krosenbl@interserv.com>]

Dear sir,

    Your website lists this as a discussion forum for the field of
neurophysiology.  I have a question I was wondering if anyone could shed
some light on.

    I have been searching for information regarding the vitality of the
proximal segment of a transected peripheral motor neuron.   Take, for
example, a person who undergoes a midhumerous amputation.  The brachial
nerve is obviously transected.  If the person imagines that he is
flexing his wrist, do the appropriate axons in the brachial nerve
continue to conduct signals to the proximal stump?    If so, does the
nerve axon continue to function normally indefinitely?  I know that
there is much research concerning Wallerian degeneration of the distal
stump, and efforts of the proximal and distal stump to reunite, but I
have seen little regarding long term continuation of neural activity to
the proximal axon.

    Thank you in advance in anyone can offer some information in this
area.

Ken Rosenblum,  MD