Transsynaptic degeneration of ventral horn motor neurons exists but plays a minor role in lower motor system dysfunction in acute ischemic rats.

This study offered an overview of changes in the lower motor system in experimental ischemic rats. We demonstrated that transsynaptic degeneration of contralateral VH neurons occurred when lower motor function significantly recovered, which indicated the minor role of transsynaptic degeneration in lower motor dysfunction during the acute and subacute phases of focal ischemic stroke.