Image of the Week

Motor Neurons

  • Published5 Jun 2015
  • Reviewed4 Jun 2015
  • Author Alexis Wnuk
  • Source BrainFacts/SfN

This image shows motor neurons (green) making contact with muscle cells (red) in the neck muscle of a young mouse.

Miller, et al. The Journal of Neuroscience, 2015.

The brain communicates with muscles via long, cable-like nerve cells called motor neurons, which enables movement to occur. This image shows motor neurons (green) making contact with muscle cells (red) in the neck muscle of a young mouse.

Motor neurons are destroyed in diseases like spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that leads to weakness, loss of muscle control, and muscle atrophy. While there are currently no treatments available for this disease, scientists hope that studying what goes wrong in affected motor neurons will pave the way for future therapies.

CONTENT PROVIDED BY

BrainFacts/SfN

Image of the Week

Check out the Image of the Week Archive.

Explore

Animals in Research

Advancing science, improving health. 

Learn More

Find a Neuroscientist

Engage local scientists to educate your community about the brain.

Search