Research status of neuromuscular junction in muscular atrophy

Muscle atrophy is a group of progressive skeletal muscle cell degeneration diseases, mainly characterized by decreased muscle mass and muscle dysfunction. Common causes include chronic malnutrition, disuse, and denervation. Clinically, it is often secondary to wasting diseases, and can also be seen in various neuromuscular diseases. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) acts as a bridge between motor neuron terminals and skeletal muscle and plays a key role in muscle atrophy. This review describes the changes in NMJ function in patients with muscle wasting and its clinical application, and aims to provide ideas and references for subsequent research. Key words: Neuromuscular junction; Muscle atrophy; Atrophy-related genes; Aggregating proteins