Physiological and Pharmacological Studies on Cervical Motor Neurons in Slices Prepared from Neonatal and Aged Mice

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Very good

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Excellent

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Very good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Very good

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Very good

Comments:

This study describes the membrane properties of cervical motor neurons obtained from normal ICR mice of different ages, which will serve as controls for study of motor neurons from the SOD1 mutant mice. The study is well designed and executed. The Methods and Results are adequately described. The Discussion puts forth the rationale for taking up the study, effectively describes the relevant literature and enlists the implications of the findings from the present study in that context. The results are well supported with briefly explained and labelled figures. The study finally Concludes from the results of the report that the extent of the dendritic tree is slightly reduced in older animals, and the speed of recovery from excitatory amino acid-induced depolarization is decreased.

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Very good

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Very good

Further comments on the paper

Comments: This study reports the effects of age on the physiological properties of cervical motor neurons, which were examined in slices made from an excised spinal cord graft of ICR mice from the second day after birth to age 350 days. The mouse spinal cord slice holds significant potential for the study of healthy and diseased motor neurons with aging. The goal of this study is to understand how the electrical properties of mouse motor neurons change with age. Intracellular recordings from motor neurons of various ages are performed, and changes in neuronal morphology with age are observed by intracellular injection of Lucifer yellow.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

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Science Repository Team