Primary neurons maintain their central axonal arbors in the spinal dorsal horn following peripheral nerve injury: an anatomical analysis using transganglionic transport of horseradish peroxidase

This study in adult cats demonstrates that primary neurons of all sizes survive following the transection and capping with a polyethylene tube of their peripheral processes in the superficial radial nerve. The central axonal arbors of these injured primary neurons remain intact and maintain their normal topographic position across laminae I-VI of the cervical (C6-C8) dorsal horn. In addition, they maintain their synaptic vesicles, some of their synaptic connections and their ability to transport horseradish peroxidase transganglionically.