De- and regeneration of axons after minor lesions in the rat sciatic nerve. Effects of microneurography electrode penetrations.

The structural effects of microneurography electrode penetrations were examined in the rat sciatic nerve. Such penetrations always produced restricted peri- and endoneurial lesions, resulting in degeneration of myelinated and unmyelinated axons, as well as in demyelination. The regenerative response was vigorous, and the regenerating axons usually formed a separate region of fascicle. However, restitution was not complete after 9 weeks survival, and in some cases not even after 16 weeks.