REINNERVATION OF SMOOTH AND STRIATED MUSCLE BY SENSORY NERVE FIBERS

The nictitating membrane of the cat was reinnervated by sensory fibers pertaining to the central root of the vagal nodose ganglion by allowing them to grow into the post ganglionic stump of the superior cervical sympathetic. The superior cervical sympathetic ganglion was excised. The VTTI, IX, X, XI and XII cranial nerves were severed intracranially and their foramina of exit from the skull were obturated. After several months, stimulation of the vagal trunk resulted in a contraction of the nictitating membrane which was abolished by small doses of atropine, potentiated by prostigmine and it was unaffected by d-tubocurarine. In 1 cat a striated muscle was reinnervated by the caudal stump of the central root of the vagal nodose ganglion. Several months later stimulation of the vagal trunk produced a response of the striated muscle. This response was not modified by atropine but was abolished by d-tubocurarine. Some fibers of the central root of the nodose ganglion probably liberate acetylcholine (or a related substance) as their transmitter.