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Maraslioglu-Sperber A, Pizzi E, Fisch JO, Kattler K, Ritter T, Friauf E. Molecular and functional profiling of cell diversity and identity in the lateral superior olive, an auditory brainstem center with ascending and descending projections. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1354520. [PMID: 38846638 PMCID: PMC11153811 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1354520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The lateral superior olive (LSO), a prominent integration center in the auditory brainstem, contains a remarkably heterogeneous population of neurons. Ascending neurons, predominantly principal neurons (pLSOs), process interaural level differences for sound localization. Descending neurons (lateral olivocochlear neurons, LOCs) provide feedback into the cochlea and are thought to protect against acoustic overload. The molecular determinants of the neuronal diversity in the LSO are largely unknown. Here, we used patch-seq analysis in mice at postnatal days P10-12 to classify developing LSO neurons according to their functional and molecular profiles. Across the entire sample (n = 86 neurons), genes involved in ATP synthesis were particularly highly expressed, confirming the energy expenditure of auditory neurons. Two clusters were identified, pLSOs and LOCs. They were distinguished by 353 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), most of which were novel for the LSO. Electrophysiological analysis confirmed the transcriptomic clustering. We focused on genes affecting neuronal input-output properties and validated some of them by immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, and pharmacology. These genes encode proteins such as osteopontin, Kv11.3, and Kvβ3 (pLSO-specific), calcitonin-gene-related peptide (LOC-specific), or Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 (no DEGs). We identified 12 "Super DEGs" and 12 genes showing "Cluster similarity." Collectively, we provide fundamental and comprehensive insights into the molecular composition of individual ascending and descending neurons in the juvenile auditory brainstem and how this may relate to their specific functions, including developmental aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Maraslioglu-Sperber
- Animal Physiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Erika Pizzi
- Animal Physiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jonas O. Fisch
- Animal Physiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Kathrin Kattler
- Genetics/Epigenetics Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tamara Ritter
- Animal Physiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Eckhard Friauf
- Animal Physiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
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2
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Bovee S, Klump GM, Pyott SJ, Sielaff C, Köppl C. Cochlear Ribbon Synapses in Aged Gerbils. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2738. [PMID: 38473985 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In mammalian hearing, type-I afferent auditory nerve fibers comprise the basis of the afferent auditory pathway. They are connected to inner hair cells of the cochlea via specialized ribbon synapses. Auditory nerve fibers of different physiological types differ subtly in their synaptic location and morphology. Low-spontaneous-rate auditory nerve fibers typically connect on the modiolar side of the inner hair cell, while high-spontaneous-rate fibers are typically found on the pillar side. In aging and noise-damaged ears, this fine-tuned balance between auditory nerve fiber populations can be disrupted and the functional consequences are currently unclear. Here, using immunofluorescent labeling of presynaptic ribbons and postsynaptic glutamate receptor patches, we investigated changes in synaptic morphology at three different tonotopic locations along the cochlea of aging gerbils compared to those of young adults. Quiet-aged gerbils showed about 20% loss of afferent ribbon synapses. While the loss was random at apical, low-frequency cochlear locations, at the basal, high-frequency location it almost exclusively affected the modiolar-located synapses. The subtle differences in volumes of pre- and postsynaptic elements located on the inner hair cell's modiolar versus pillar side were unaffected by age. This is consistent with known physiology and suggests a predominant, age-related loss in the low-spontaneous-rate auditory nerve population in the cochlear base, but not the apex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonny Bovee
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Georg M Klump
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Centre Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sonja J Pyott
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Sielaff
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Köppl
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Centre Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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3
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Di Bonito M, Bourien J, Tizzano M, Harrus AG, Puel JL, Avallone B, Nouvian R, Studer M. Abnormal outer hair cell efferent innervation in Hoxb1-dependent sensorineural hearing loss. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010933. [PMID: 37738262 PMCID: PMC10516434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive mutation of HOXB1 and Hoxb1 causes sensorineural hearing loss in patients and mice, respectively, characterized by the presence of higher auditory thresholds; however, the origin of the defects along the auditory pathway is still unknown. In this study, we assessed whether the abnormal auditory threshold and malformation of the sensory auditory cells, the outer hair cells, described in Hoxb1null mutants depend on the absence of efferent motor innervation, or alternatively, is due to altered sensory auditory components. By using a whole series of conditional mutant mice, which inactivate Hoxb1 in either rhombomere 4-derived sensory cochlear neurons or efferent motor neurons, we found that the hearing phenotype is mainly reproduced when efferent motor neurons are specifically affected. Our data strongly suggest that the interactions between olivocochlear motor neurons and outer hair cells during a critical postnatal period are crucial for both hair cell survival and the establishment of the cochlear amplification of sound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Di Bonito
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), Nice, France
| | - Jérôme Bourien
- University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Montpellier, France
| | - Monica Tizzano
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Naples, Italy
| | - Anne-Gabrielle Harrus
- University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Luc Puel
- University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Montpellier, France
| | - Bice Avallone
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Naples, Italy
| | - Regis Nouvian
- University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Montpellier, France
| | - Michèle Studer
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), Nice, France
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4
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Romero GE, Trussell LO. Central circuitry and function of the cochlear efferent systems. Hear Res 2022; 425:108516. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2022.108516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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5
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Le Prell CG, Hughes LF, Dolan DF, Bledsoe SC. Effects of Calcitonin-Gene-Related-Peptide on Auditory Nerve Activity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:752963. [PMID: 34869340 PMCID: PMC8633412 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.752963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a lateral olivocochlear (LOC) efferent neurotransmitter. Depression of sound-driven auditory brainstem response amplitude in CGRP-null mice suggests the potential for endogenous CGRP release to upregulate spontaneous and/or sound-driven auditory nerve (AN) activity. We chronically infused CGRP into the guinea pig cochlea and evaluated changes in AN activity as well as outer hair cell (OHC) function. The amplitude of both round window noise (a measure of ensemble spontaneous activity) and the synchronous whole-nerve response to sound (compound action potential, CAP) were enhanced. Lack of change in both onset adaptation and steady state amplitude of sound-evoked distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) responses indicated CGRP had no effect on OHCs, suggesting the origin of the observed changes was neural. Combined with results from the CGRP-null mice, these results appear to confirm that endogenous CGRP enhances auditory nerve activity when released by the LOC neurons. However, infusion of the CGRP receptor antagonist CGRP (8–37) did not reliably influence spontaneous or sound-driven AN activity, or OHC function, results that contrast with the decreased ABR amplitude measured in CGRP-null mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen G Le Prell
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Larry F Hughes
- Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - David F Dolan
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sanford C Bledsoe
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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6
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Boothalingam S, Goodman SS, MacCrae H, Dhar S. A Time-Course-Based Estimation of the Human Medial Olivocochlear Reflex Function Using Clicks. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:746821. [PMID: 34776849 PMCID: PMC8581223 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.746821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The auditory efferent system, especially the medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR), is implicated in both typical auditory processing and in auditory disorders in animal models. Despite the significant strides in both basic and translational research on the MOCR, its clinical applicability remains under-utilized in humans due to the lack of a recommended clinical method. Conventional tests employ broadband noise in one ear while monitoring change in otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in the other ear to index efferent activity. These methods, (1) can only assay the contralateral MOCR pathway and (2) are unable to extract the kinetics of the reflexes. We have developed a method that re-purposes the same OAE-evoking click-train to also concurrently elicit bilateral MOCR activity. Data from click-train presentations at 80 dB peSPL at 62.5 Hz in 13 young normal-hearing adults demonstrate the feasibility of our method. Mean MOCR magnitude (1.7 dB) and activation time-constant (0.2 s) are consistent with prior MOCR reports. The data also suggest several advantages of this method including, (1) the ability to monitor MEMR, (2) obtain both magnitude and kinetics (time constants) of the MOCR, (3) visual and statistical confirmation of MOCR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Boothalingam
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Shawn S Goodman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Hilary MacCrae
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Sumitrajit Dhar
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States.,Knowles Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
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7
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Moglie MJ, Wengier DL, Elgoyhen AB, Goutman JD. Synaptic Contributions to Cochlear Outer Hair Cell Ca 2+ Dynamics. J Neurosci 2021; 41:6812-6821. [PMID: 34253627 PMCID: PMC8360681 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3008-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
For normal cochlear function, outer hair cells (OHCs) require a precise control of intracellular Ca2+ levels. In the absence of regulatory elements such as proteinaceous buffers or extrusion pumps, OHCs degenerate, leading to profound hearing impairment. Influx of Ca2+ occurs both at the stereocilia tips and the basolateral membrane. In this latter compartment, two different origins for Ca2+ influx have been poorly explored: voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) at synapses with Type II afferent neurons, and α9α10 cholinergic nicotinic receptors at synapses with medio-olivochlear complex (MOC) neurons. Using functional imaging in mouse OHCs, we dissected Ca2+ influx individually through each of these sources, either by applying step depolarizations to activate VGCC, or stimulating MOC axons. Ca2+ ions originated in MOC synapses, but not by VGCC activation, was confined by Ca2+-ATPases most likely present in nearby synaptic cisterns. Although Ca2+ currents in OHCs are small, VGCC Ca2+ signals were comparable in size to those elicited by α9α10 receptors, and were potentiated by ryanodine receptors (RyRs). In contrast, no evidence of potentiation by RyRs was found for MOC Ca2+ signals over a wide range of presynaptic stimulation strengths. Our study shows that despite the fact that these two Ca2+ entry sites are closely positioned, they differ in their regulation by intracellular cisterns and/or organelles, suggesting the existence of well-tuned mechanisms to separate the two different OHC synaptic functions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Outer hair cells (OHCs) are sensory cells in the inner ear operating under very special constraints. Acoustic stimulation leads to fast changes both in membrane potential and in the intracellular concentration of metabolites such as Ca2+ Tight mechanisms for Ca2+ control in OHCs have been reported. Interestingly, Ca2+ is crucial for two important synaptic processes: inhibition by efferent cholinergic neurons, and glutamate release onto Type II afferent fibers. In the current study we functionally imaged Ca2+ at these two different synapses, showing close positioning within the basolateral compartment of OHCs. In addition, we show differential regulation of these two Ca2+ sources by synaptic cisterns and/or organelles, which could result crucial for functional segregation during normal hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo J Moglie
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI) (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Diego L Wengier
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI) (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - A Belén Elgoyhen
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI) (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Juan D Goutman
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI) (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
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8
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Marchetta P, Rüttiger L, Hobbs AJ, Singer W, Knipper M. The role of cGMP signalling in auditory processing in health and disease. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:2378-2393. [PMID: 33768519 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
cGMP is generated by the cGMP-forming guanylyl cyclases (GCs), the intracellular nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive (soluble) guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and transmembrane GC (e.g. GC-A and GC-B). In summarizing the particular role of cGMP signalling for hearing, we show that GC generally do not interfere significantly with basic hearing function but rather sustain a healthy state for proper temporal coding, fast discrimination and adjustments during injury. sGC is critical for the integrity of the first synapse in the ascending auditory pathway, the inner hair cell synapse. GC-A promotes hair cell stability under stressful conditions such as acoustic trauma or ageing. GC-B plays a role in the development of efferent feed-back and gain control. Regarding the crucial role hearing has for language development, speech discrimination and cognitive brain functions, differential pharmaceutical targeting of GCs offers therapeutic promise for the restoration of hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philine Marchetta
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lukas Rüttiger
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Adrian J Hobbs
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Wibke Singer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marlies Knipper
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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9
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Auditory attentional filter in the absence of masking noise. Atten Percept Psychophys 2021; 83:1737-1751. [PMID: 33389676 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-020-02210-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Signals containing attended frequencies are facilitated while those with unexpected frequencies are suppressed by an auditory filtering process. The neurocognitive mechanism underlying the auditory attentional filter is, however, poorly understood. The olivocochlear bundle (OCB), a brainstem neural circuit that is part of the efferent system, has been suggested to be partly responsible for the filtering via its noise-dependent antimasking effect. The current study examined the role of the OCB in attentional filtering, particularly the validity of the antimasking hypothesis, by comparing attentional filters measured in quiet and in the presence of background noise in a group of normal-hearing listeners. Filters obtained in both conditions were comparable, suggesting that the presence of background noise is not crucial for attentional filter generation. In addition, comparison of frequency-specific changes of the cue-evoked enhancement component of filters in quiet and noise also did not reveal any major contribution of background noise to the cue effect. These findings argue against the involvement of an antimasking effect in the attentional process. Instead of the antimasking effect mediated via medial olivocochlear fibers, results from current and earlier studies can be explained by frequency-specific modulation of afferent spontaneous activity by lateral olivocochlear fibers. It is proposed that the activity of these lateral fibers could be driven by top-down cortical control via a noise-independent mechanism. SIGNIFICANCE: The neural basis for auditory attentional filter remains a fundamental but poorly understood area in auditory neuroscience. The efferent olivocochlear pathway that projects from the brainstem back to the cochlea has been suggested to mediate the attentional effect via its noise-dependent antimasking effect. The current study demonstrates that the filter generation is mostly independent of the background noise, and therefore is unlikely to be mediated by the olivocochlear brainstem reflex. It is proposed that the entire cortico-olivocochlear system might instead be used to alter the hearing sensitivity during focus attention via frequency-specific modulation of afferent spontaneous activity.
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10
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Mishra SK. The role of efferents in human auditory development: efferent inhibition predicts frequency discrimination in noise for children. J Neurophysiol 2020; 123:2437-2448. [PMID: 32432503 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00136.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The descending corticofugal fibers originate from the auditory cortex and exert control on the periphery via the olivocochlear efferents. Medial efferents are thought to enhance the discriminability of transient sounds in background noise. In addition, the observation of deleterious long-term effects of efferent sectioning on the response properties of auditory nerve fibers in neonatal cats supports an efferent-mediated control of normal development. However, the role of the efferent system in human hearing remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the medial efferents are involved in the development of frequency discrimination in noise. The hypothesis was examined with a combined behavioral and physiological approach. Frequency discrimination in noise and efferent inhibition were measured in 5- to 12-yr-old children (n = 127) and young adults (n = 37). Medial efferent strength was noninvasively assayed with a rigorous otoacoustic emission protocol. Results revealed an age-mediated relationship between efferent inhibition and frequency discrimination in noise. Efferent inhibition strongly predicted frequency discrimination in noise for younger children (5-9 yr). However, for older children (>9 yr) and adults, efferent inhibition was not related to frequency discrimination in noise. These findings support the role of efferents in the development of hearing-in-noise in humans; specifically, younger children compared with older children and adults are relatively more dependent on efferent inhibition for extracting relevant cues in noise. Additionally, the present findings caution against postulating an oversimplified relationship between efferent inhibition and measures of auditory perception in humans.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Despite several decades of research, the functional role of medial olivocochlear efferents in humans remains controversial and is thought to be insignificant. Here it is shown that medial efferent inhibition strongly predicts frequency discrimination in noise for younger children but not for older children and adults. Young children are relatively more dependent on the efferent system for listening-in-noise. This study highlights the role of the efferent system in hearing-in-noise during childhood development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanta K Mishra
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas.,Department of Communication Disorders, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
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11
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Wu JS, Yi E, Manca M, Javaid H, Lauer AM, Glowatzki E. Sound exposure dynamically induces dopamine synthesis in cholinergic LOC efferents for feedback to auditory nerve fibers. eLife 2020; 9:52419. [PMID: 31975688 PMCID: PMC7043886 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateral olivocochlear (LOC) efferent neurons modulate auditory nerve fiber (ANF) activity using a large repertoire of neurotransmitters, including dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh). Little is known about how individual neurotransmitter systems are differentially utilized in response to the ever-changing acoustic environment. Here we present quantitative evidence in rodents that the dopaminergic LOC input to ANFs is dynamically regulated according to the animal's recent acoustic experience. Sound exposure upregulates tyrosine hydroxylase, an enzyme responsible for dopamine synthesis, in cholinergic LOC intrinsic neurons, suggesting that individual LOC neurons might at times co-release ACh and DA. We further demonstrate that dopamine down-regulates ANF firing rates by reducing both the hair cell release rate and the size of synaptic events. Collectively, our results suggest that LOC intrinsic neurons can undergo on-demand neurotransmitter re-specification to re-calibrate ANF activity, adjust the gain at hair cell/ANF synapses, and possibly to protect these synapses from noise damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Sherry Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,The Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,The Center for Hearing and Balance, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Eunyoung Yi
- College of Pharmacy and Natural Medicine Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Marco Manca
- The Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,The Center for Hearing and Balance, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Hamad Javaid
- The Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,The Center for Hearing and Balance, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Amanda M Lauer
- The Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,The Center for Hearing and Balance, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Elisabeth Glowatzki
- Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,The Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,The Center for Hearing and Balance, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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12
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Sahley TL, Anderson DJ, Hammonds MD, Chandu K, Musiek FE. Evidence for a dynorphin-mediated inner ear immune/inflammatory response and glutamate-induced neural excitotoxicity: an updated analysis. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:1421-1460. [DOI: 10.1152/jn.00595.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acoustic overstimulation (AOS) is defined as the stressful overexposure to high-intensity sounds. AOS is a precipitating factor that leads to a glutamate (GLU)-induced Type I auditory neural excitotoxicity and an activation of an immune/inflammatory/oxidative stress response within the inner ear, often resulting in cochlear hearing loss. The dendrites of the Type I auditory neural neurons that innervate the inner hair cells (IHCs), and respond to the IHC release of the excitatory neurotransmitter GLU, are themselves directly innervated by the dynorphin (DYN)-bearing axon terminals of the descending brain stem lateral olivocochlear (LOC) system. DYNs are known to increase GLU availability, potentiate GLU excitotoxicity, and induce superoxide production. DYNs also increase the production of proinflammatory cytokines by modulating immune/inflammatory signal transduction pathways. Evidence is provided supporting the possibility that the GLU-mediated Type I auditory neural dendritic swelling, inflammation, excitotoxicity, and cochlear hearing loss that follow AOS may be part of a brain stem-activated, DYN-mediated cascade of inflammatory events subsequent to a LOC release of DYNs into the cochlea. In support of a DYN-mediated cascade of events are established investigations linking DYNs to the immune/inflammatory/excitotoxic response in other neural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony L. Sahley
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
- School of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - David J. Anderson
- Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - Karthik Chandu
- Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Frank E. Musiek
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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Heeringa AN, Köppl C. The aging cochlea: Towards unraveling the functional contributions of strial dysfunction and synaptopathy. Hear Res 2019; 376:111-124. [PMID: 30862414 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2019.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Strial dysfunction is commonly observed as a key consequence of aging in the cochlea. A large body of animal research, especially in the quiet-aged Mongolian gerbil, shows specific histopathological changes in the cochlear stria vascularis and the putatively corresponding effects on endocochlear potential and auditory nerve responses. However, recent work suggests that synaptopathy, or the loss of inner hair cell-auditory nerve fiber synapses, also presents as a consequence of aging. It is now believed that the loss of synapses is the earliest age-related degenerative event. The present review aims to integrate classic and novel research on age-related pathologies of the inner ear. First, we summarize current knowledge on age-related strial dysfunction and synaptopathy. We describe how these cochlear pathologies fit into the categories for presbyacusis, as first defined by Schuknecht in the '70s. Further, we discuss how strial dysfunction and synaptopathy affect sound coding by the auditory nerve and how they can be experimentally induced to study their specific contributions to age-related hearing deficits. As such, we aim to give an overview of the current literature on age-related cochlear pathologies and hope to inspire further research on the role of cochlear aging in age-related hearing deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarins N Heeringa
- Cluster of Excellence 'Hearing4all' and Research Centre Neurosensory Science, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Science, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christine Köppl
- Cluster of Excellence 'Hearing4all' and Research Centre Neurosensory Science, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Science, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany.
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14
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Frank MM, Goodrich LV. Talking back: Development of the olivocochlear efferent system. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2018; 7:e324. [PMID: 29944783 PMCID: PMC6185769 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Developing sensory systems must coordinate the growth of neural circuitry spanning from receptors in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) to multilayered networks within the central nervous system (CNS). This breadth presents particular challenges, as nascent processes must navigate across the CNS-PNS boundary and coalesce into a tightly intermingled wiring pattern, thereby enabling reliable integration from the PNS to the CNS and back. In the auditory system, feedforward spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) from the periphery collect sound information via tonotopically organized connections in the cochlea and transmit this information to the brainstem for processing via the VIII cranial nerve. In turn, feedback olivocochlear neurons (OCNs) housed in the auditory brainstem send projections into the periphery, also through the VIII nerve. OCNs are motor neuron-like efferent cells that influence auditory processing within the cochlea and protect against noise damage in adult animals. These aligned feedforward and feedback systems develop in parallel, with SGN central axons reaching the developing auditory brainstem around the same time that the OCN axons extend out toward the developing inner ear. Recent findings have begun to unravel the genetic and molecular mechanisms that guide OCN development, from their origins in a generic pool of motor neuron precursors to their specialized roles as modulators of cochlear activity. One recurrent theme is the importance of efferent-afferent interactions, as afferent SGNs guide OCNs to their final locations within the sensory epithelium, and efferent OCNs shape the activity of the developing auditory system. This article is categorized under: Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development.
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15
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Clause A, Lauer AM, Kandler K. Mice Lacking the Alpha9 Subunit of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Exhibit Deficits in Frequency Difference Limens and Sound Localization. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:167. [PMID: 28663725 PMCID: PMC5471293 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sound processing in the cochlea is modulated by cholinergic efferent axons arising from medial olivocochlear neurons in the brainstem. These axons contact outer hair cells in the mature cochlea and inner hair cells during development and activate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors composed of α9 and α10 subunits. The α9 subunit is necessary for mediating the effects of acetylcholine on hair cells as genetic deletion of the α9 subunit results in functional cholinergic de-efferentation of the cochlea. Cholinergic modulation of spontaneous cochlear activity before hearing onset is important for the maturation of central auditory circuits. In α9KO mice, the developmental refinement of inhibitory afferents to the lateral superior olive is disturbed, resulting in decreased tonotopic organization of this sound localization nucleus. In this study, we used behavioral tests to investigate whether the circuit anomalies in α9KO mice correlate with sound localization or sound frequency processing. Using a conditioned lick suppression task to measure sound localization, we found that three out of four α9KO mice showed impaired minimum audible angles. Using a prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response paradigm, we found that the ability of α9KO mice to detect sound frequency changes was impaired, whereas their ability to detect sound intensity changes was not. These results demonstrate that cholinergic, nicotinic α9 subunit mediated transmission in the developing cochlear plays an important role in the maturation of hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Clause
- Departments of Otolaryngology and Neurobiology, University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA, United States.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Amanda M Lauer
- Center for Hearing and Balance, David M. Rubenstein Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD, United States
| | - Karl Kandler
- Departments of Otolaryngology and Neurobiology, University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA, United States.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA, United States
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16
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Heil P, Peterson AJ. Spike timing in auditory-nerve fibers during spontaneous activity and phase locking. Synapse 2016; 71:5-36. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.21925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Heil
- Department of Systems Physiology of Learning; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology; Magdeburg 39118 Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences; Magdeburg Germany
| | - Adam J. Peterson
- Department of Systems Physiology of Learning; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology; Magdeburg 39118 Germany
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17
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Reijntjes DO, Pyott SJ. The afferent signaling complex: Regulation of type I spiral ganglion neuron responses in the auditory periphery. Hear Res 2016; 336:1-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2016.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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18
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Singer W, Geisler HS, Panford-Walsh R, Knipper M. Detection of Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses in the Auditory System Using Fluorescence Immunohistochemistry and High-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1427:263-76. [PMID: 27259932 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3615-1_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In sensory systems, a balanced excitatory and inhibitory circuit along the ascending pathway is not only important for the establishment of topographically ordered connections from the periphery to the cortex but also for temporal precision of signal processing. The accomplishment of spatial and temporal cortical resolution in the central nervous system is a process that is likely initiated by the first sensory experiences that drive a period of increased intracortical inhibition. In the auditory system, the time of first sensory experience is also the period in which a reorganization of cochlear efferent and afferent fibers occurs leading to the mature innervation of inner and outer hair cells. This mature hair cell innervation is the basis of accurate sound processing along the ascending pathway up to the auditory cortex. We describe here, a protocol for detecting excitatory and inhibitory marker proteins along the ascending auditory pathway, which could be a useful tool for detecting changes in auditory signal processing during various forms of hearing disorders. Our protocol uses fluorescence immunohistochemistry in combination with high-resolution fluorescence microscopy in cochlear and brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wibke Singer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Hyun-Soon Geisler
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Rama Panford-Walsh
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.,DNA Genotek Inc., Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Marlies Knipper
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.
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19
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Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein Deletion in Efferent Olivocochlear Neurons Perturbs Afferent Synaptic Maturation and Reduces the Dynamic Range of Hearing. J Neurosci 2015; 35:9236-45. [PMID: 26085645 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4384-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Normal hearing requires proper differentiation of afferent ribbon synapses between inner hair cells (IHCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) that carry acoustic information to the brain. Within individual IHCs, presynaptic ribbons show a size gradient with larger ribbons on the modiolar face and smaller ribbons on the pillar face. This structural gradient is associated with a gradient of spontaneous rates and threshold sensitivity, which is essential for a wide dynamic range of hearing. Despite their importance for hearing, mechanisms that direct ribbon differentiation are poorly defined. We recently identified adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC) as a key regulator of interneuronal synapse maturation. Here, we show that APC is required for ribbon size heterogeneity and normal cochlear function. Compared with wild-type littermates, APC conditional knock-out (cKO) mice exhibit decreased auditory brainstem responses. The IHC ribbon size gradient is also perturbed. Whereas the normal-developing IHCs display ribbon size gradients before hearing onset, ribbon sizes are aberrant in APC cKOs from neonatal ages on. Reporter expression studies show that the CaMKII-Cre used to delete the floxed APC gene is present in efferent olivocochlear (OC) neurons, not IHCs or SGNs. APC loss led to increased volumes and numbers of OC inhibitory dopaminergic boutons on neonatal SGN fibers. Our findings identify APC in efferent OC neurons as essential for regulating ribbon heterogeneity, dopaminergic terminal differentiation, and cochlear sensitivity. This APC effect on auditory epithelial cell synapses resembles interneuronal and nerve-muscle synapses, thereby defining a global role for APC in synaptic maturation in diverse cell types. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study identifies novel molecules and cellular interactions that are essential for the proper maturation of afferent ribbon synapses in sensory cells of the inner ear, and for normal hearing.
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20
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Nouvian R, Eybalin M, Puel JL. Cochlear efferents in developing adult and pathological conditions. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 361:301-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2158-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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21
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Le Prell CG, Dolan DF, Hughes LF, Altschuler RA, Shore SE, Bledsoe SC. Disruption of lateral olivocochlear neurons with a dopaminergic neurotoxin depresses spontaneous auditory nerve activity. Neurosci Lett 2014; 582:54-8. [PMID: 25175420 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 08/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurons of the lateral olivocochlear (LOC) system project from the auditory brainstem to the cochlea, where they synapse on radial dendrites of auditory nerve fibers. Selective LOC disruption depresses sound-evoked auditory nerve activity in the guinea pig, but enhances it in the mouse. Here, LOC disruption depressed spontaneous auditory nerve activity in the guinea pig. Recordings from single auditory nerve fibers revealed a significantly reduced proportion of fibers with the highest spontaneous firing rates (SRs) and an increased proportion of neurons with lower SRs. Ensemble activity, estimated using round window noise, also decreased after LOC disruption. Decreased spontaneous activity after LOC disruption may be a consequence of reduced tonic release of excitatory transmitters from the LOC terminals in guinea pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen G Le Prell
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA.
| | - David F Dolan
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Larry F Hughes
- Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University Medical School, Springfield, IL 62794 USA
| | - Richard A Altschuler
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Susan E Shore
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Sanford C Bledsoe
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
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22
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Yin Y, Liberman LD, Maison SF, Liberman MC. Olivocochlear innervation maintains the normal modiolar-pillar and habenular-cuticular gradients in cochlear synaptic morphology. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2014; 15:571-83. [PMID: 24825663 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-014-0462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphological studies of inner hair cell (IHC) synapses with cochlear nerve terminals have suggested that high- and low-threshold fibers differ in the sizes of their pre- and postsynaptic elements as well as the position of their synapses around the hair cell circumference. Here, using high-power confocal microscopy, we measured sizes and spatial positions of presynaptic ribbons, postsynaptic glutamate receptor (GluR) patches, and olivocochlear efferent terminals at eight locations along the cochlear spiral in normal and surgically de-efferented mice. Results confirm a prior report suggesting a modiolar > pillar gradient in ribbon size and a complementary pillar > modiolar gradient in GluR-patch size. We document a novel habenular < cuticular gradient in GluR patch size and a complementary cuticular < habenular gradient in olivocochlear innervation density. All spatial gradients in synaptic elements collapse after cochlear de-efferentation, suggesting a major role of olivocochlear efferents in maintaining functional heterogeneity among cochlear nerve fibers. Our spatial analysis also suggests that adjacent IHCs may contain a different synaptic mix, depending on whether their tilt in the radial plane places their synaptic pole closer to the pillar cells or to the modiolus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Yin
- Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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Le Prell CG, Hughes LF, Bledsoe SC. Dynorphin release by the lateral olivocochlear efferents may inhibit auditory nerve activity: a cochlear drug delivery study. Neurosci Lett 2014; 571:17-22. [PMID: 24780562 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Revised: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Dynorphin (dyn) is suggested to excite the auditory nerve (AN) when released by the lateral olivocochlear (LOC) efferents. However, previous studies evaluated either intravenously delivered dyn-like agents, raising the potential for systemic (central) effects, or agent concentrations unlikely to be achieved via endogenous cochlear release. This study tested the hypothesis that biologically relevant increases in dyn levels in the cochlea achieved via diffusion of the drug of (-)pentazocine across the round window membrane enhances AN firing. In general, amplitude of the cochlear whole-nerve action potential (CAP) was depressed following drug application. These results suggest that dyn released by the LOC neurons would likely act as an inhibitory transmitter substance in the LOC system; neurotransmission is one of the LOC system's vast unknowns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Larry F Hughes
- Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, USA
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24
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Kitanishi T, Aimi Y, Kitano H, Suzuki M, Kimura H, Saito A, Shimizu T, Tooyama I. Distinct localization of peripheral and central types of choline acetyltransferase in the rat cochlea. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2013; 46:145-52. [PMID: 24194628 PMCID: PMC3814435 DOI: 10.1267/ahc.13021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously discovered a splice variant of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA, and designated the variant protein pChAT because of its preferential expression in peripheral neuronal structures. In this study, we examined the immunohistochemical localization of pChAT in rat cochlea and compared the distribution pattern to those of common ChAT (cChAT) and acetylcholinesterase. Some neuronal cell bodies and fibers in the spiral ganglia showed immunoreactivity for pChAT, predominantly the small spiral ganglion cells, indicating outer hair cell type II neurons. In contrast, cChAT- and acetylcholinesterase-positive structures were localized to fibers and not apparent in ganglion cells. After ablation of the cochlear nuclei, many pChAT-positive cochlear nerve fibers became clearly visible, whereas fibers immunopositive for cChAT and acetylcholine esterase disappeared. These results suggested that pChAT and cChAT are localized in different systems of the rat cochlea; pChAT in the afferent and cChAT in the efferent structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Kitanishi
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Yoshinari Aimi
- Department of Anatomy, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Hiroya Kitano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University
| | - Mikio Suzuki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Atsushi Saito
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Takeshi Shimizu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Ikuo Tooyama
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science
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25
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Gómez-Nieto R, Sinex DG, Horta-Júnior JDAC, Castellano O, Herrero-Turrión JM, López DE. A fast cholinergic modulation of the primary acoustic startle circuit in rats. Brain Struct Funct 2013; 219:1555-73. [PMID: 23733175 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-013-0585-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cochlear root neurons (CRNs) are the first brainstem neurons which initiate and participate in the full expression of the acoustic startle reflex. Although it has been suggested that a cholinergic pathway from the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body (VNTB) conveys auditory prepulses to the CRNs, the neuronal origin of the VNTB-CRNs projection and the role it may play in the cochlear root nucleus remain uncertain. To determine the VNTB neuronal type which projects to CRNs, we performed tract-tracing experiments combined with mechanical lesions, and morphometric analyses. Our results indicate that a subpopulation of non-olivocochlear neurons projects directly and bilaterally to CRNs via the trapezoid body. We also performed a gene expression analysis of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors which indicates that CRNs contain a cholinergic receptor profile sufficient to mediate the modulation of CRN responses. Consequently, we investigated the effects of auditory prepulses on the neuronal activity of CRNs using extracellular recordings in vivo. Our results show that CRN responses are strongly inhibited by auditory prepulses. Unlike other neurons of the cochlear nucleus, the CRNs exhibited inhibition that depended on parameters of the auditory prepulse such as intensity and interstimulus interval, showing their strongest inhibition at short interstimulus intervals. In sum, our study supports the idea that CRNs are involved in the auditory prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex, and confirms the existence of multiple cholinergic pathways that modulate the primary acoustic startle circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Gómez-Nieto
- Neuroscience Institute of Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
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26
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Singer W, Panford-Walsh R, Knipper M. The function of BDNF in the adult auditory system. Neuropharmacology 2013; 76 Pt C:719-28. [PMID: 23688926 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The inner ear of vertebrates is specialized to perceive sound, gravity and movements. Each of the specialized sensory organs within the cochlea (sound) and vestibular system (gravity, head movements) transmits information to specific areas of the brain. During development, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) orchestrates the survival and outgrowth of afferent fibers connecting the vestibular organ and those regions in the cochlea that map information for low frequency sound to central auditory nuclei and higher-auditory centers. The role of BDNF in the mature inner ear is less understood. This is mainly due to the fact that constitutive BDNF mutant mice are postnatally lethal. Only in the last few years has the improved technology of performing conditional cell specific deletion of BDNF in vivo allowed the study of the function of BDNF in the mature developed organ. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the expression pattern and function of BDNF in the peripheral and central auditory system from just prior to the first auditory experience onwards. A special focus will be put on the differential mechanisms in which BDNF drives refinement of auditory circuitries during the onset of sensory experience and in the adult brain. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'BDNF Regulation of Synaptic Structure, Function, and Plasticity'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wibke Singer
- University of Tübingen, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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27
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Sahley TL, Hammonds MD, Musiek FE. Endogenous dynorphins, glutamate and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors may participate in a stress-mediated Type-I auditory neural exacerbation of tinnitus. Brain Res 2013; 1499:80-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Revised: 01/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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28
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Anatomy and physiology of the external, middle and inner ear. DISORDERS OF PERIPHERAL AND CENTRAL AUDITORY PROCESSING 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-5310-8.00001-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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29
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Lauer AM, Fuchs PA, Ryugo DK, Francis HW. Efferent synapses return to inner hair cells in the aging cochlea. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 33:2892-902. [PMID: 22405044 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Revised: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Efferent innervation of the cochlea undergoes extensive modification early in development, but it is unclear if efferent synapses are modified by age, hearing loss, or both. Structural alterations in the cochlea affecting information transfer from the auditory periphery to the brain may contribute to age-related hearing deficits. We investigated changes to efferent innervation in the vicinity of inner hair cells (IHCs) in young and old C57BL/6 mice using transmission electron microscopy to reveal increased efferent innervation of IHCs in older animals. Efferent contacts on IHCs contained focal presynaptic accumulations of small vesicles. Synaptic vesicle size and shape were heterogeneous. Postsynaptic cisterns were occasionally observed. Increased IHC efferent innervation was associated with a smaller number of afferent synapses per IHC, increased outer hair cell loss, and elevated auditory brainstem response thresholds. Efferent axons also formed synapses on afferent dendrites but with a reduced prevalence in older animals. Age-related reduction of afferent activity may engage signaling pathways that support the return to an immature state of efferent innervation of the cochlea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Lauer
- The Center for Hearing and Balance, Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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30
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Dopaminergic signaling in the cochlea: receptor expression patterns and deletion phenotypes. J Neurosci 2012; 32:344-55. [PMID: 22219295 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4720-11.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological studies suggest that dopamine release from lateral olivocochlear efferent neurons suppresses spontaneous and sound-evoked activity in cochlear nerve fibers and helps control noise-induced excitotoxicity; however, the literature on cochlear expression and localization of dopamine receptors is contradictory. To better characterize cochlear dopaminergic signaling, we studied receptor localization using immunohistochemistry or reverse transcriptase PCR and assessed histopathology, cochlear responses and olivocochlear function in mice with targeted deletion of each of the five receptor subtypes. In normal ears, D1, D2, and D5 receptors were detected in microdissected immature (postnatal days 10-13) spiral ganglion cells and outer hair cells but not inner hair cells. D4 was detected in spiral ganglion cells only. In whole cochlea samples from adults, transcripts for D1, D2, D4, and D5 were present, whereas D3 mRNA was never detected. D1 and D2 immunolabeling was localized to cochlear nerve fibers, near the first nodes of Ranvier (D2) and in the inner spiral bundle region (D1 and D2) where presynaptic olivocochlear terminals are found. No other receptor labeling was consistent. Cochlear function was normal in D3, D4, and D5 knock-outs. D1 and D2 knock-outs showed slight, but significant enhancement and suppression, respectively, of cochlear responses, both in the neural output [auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave 1] and in outer hair cell function [distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs)]. Vulnerability to acoustic injury was significantly increased in D2, D4 and D5 lines: D1 could not be tested, and no differences were seen in D3 mutants, consistent with a lack of receptor expression. The increased vulnerability in D2 knock-outs was seen in DPOAEs, suggesting a role for dopamine in the outer hair cell area. In D4 and D5 knock-outs, the increased noise vulnerability was seen only in ABRs, consistent with a role for dopaminergic signaling in minimizing neural damage.
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cGMP-Prkg1 signaling and Pde5 inhibition shelter cochlear hair cells and hearing function. Nat Med 2012; 18:252-9. [PMID: 22270721 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a global health hazard with considerable pathophysiological and social consequences that has no effective treatment. In the heart, lung and other organs, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) facilitates protective processes in response to traumatic events. We therefore analyzed NIHL in mice with a genetic deletion of the gene encoding cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I (Prkg1) and found a greater vulnerability to and markedly less recovery from NIHL in these mice as compared to mice without the deletion. Prkg1 was expressed in the sensory cells and neurons of the inner ear of wild-type mice, and its expression partly overlapped with the expression profile of cGMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase 5 (Pde5). Treatment of rats and wild-type mice with the Pde5 inhibitor vardenafil almost completely prevented NIHL and caused a Prkg1-dependent upregulation of poly (ADP-ribose) in hair cells and the spiral ganglion, suggesting an endogenous protective cGMP-Prkg1 signaling pathway that culminates in the activation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. These data suggest vardenafil or related drugs as possible candidates for the treatment of NIHL.
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Lichtenhan JT. Effects of low-frequency biasing on otoacoustic and neural measures suggest that stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions originate near the peak region of the traveling wave. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2011; 13:17-28. [PMID: 22002610 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-011-0296-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) have been used to study a variety of topics in cochlear mechanics, although a current topic of debate is where in the cochlea these emissions are generated. One hypothesis is that SFOAE generation is predominately near the peak region of the traveling wave. An opposing hypothesis is that SFOAE generation near the peak region is deemphasized compared to generation in the tail region of the traveling wave. A comparison was made between the effect of low-frequency biasing on both SFOAEs and a physiologic measure that arises from the peak region of the traveling wave--the compound action potential (CAP). SFOAE biasing was measured as the amplitude of spectral sidebands from varying bias tone levels. CAP biasing was measured as the suppression of CAP amplitude from varying bias tone levels. Measures of biasing effects were made throughout the cochlea. Results from cats show that the level of bias tone needed for maximum SFOAE sidebands and for 50% CAP reduction increased as probe frequency increased. Results from guinea pigs show an irregular bias effect as a function of probe frequency. In both species, there was a strong and positive relationship between the bias level needed for maximum SFOAE sidebands and for 50% CAP suppression. This relationship is consistent with the hypothesis that the majority of SFOAE is generated near the peak region of the traveling wave.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery T Lichtenhan
- Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Eaton-Peabody Laboratory of Auditory Physiology, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Bergevin C. Comparison of otoacoustic emissions within gecko subfamilies: morphological implications for auditory function in lizards. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2011; 12:203-17. [PMID: 21136278 PMCID: PMC3046335 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-010-0253-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2010] [Accepted: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are sounds emitted by the ear and provide a non-invasive probe into mechanisms underlying peripheral auditory transduction. This study focuses upon a comparison of emission properties in two phylogenetically similar pairs of gecko: Gekko gecko and Hemidactylus turcicus and Eublepharis macularius and Coleonyx variegatus. Each pair consists of two closely related species within the same subfamily, with quantitatively known morphological properties at the level of the auditory sensory organ (basilar papilla) in the inner ear. Essentially, the comparison boils down to an issue of size: how does overall body size, as well as the inner-ear dimensions (e.g., papilla length and number of hair cells), affect peripheral auditory function as inferred from OAEs? Estimates of frequency selectivity derived from stimulus-frequency emissions (emissions evoked by a single low-level tone) indicate that tuning is broader in the species with fewer hair cells/shorter papilla. Furthermore, emissions extend outwards to higher frequencies (for similar body temperatures) in the species with the smaller body size/narrower interaural spacing. This observation suggests the smaller species have relatively improved high-frequency sensitivity, possibly related to vocalizations and/or aiding azimuthal sound localization. For one species (Eublepharis), emissions were also examined in both juveniles and adults. Qualitatively similar emission properties in both suggests that inner-ear function is adult like soon after hatching and that external body size (e.g., middle-ear dimensions and interaural spacing) has a relatively small impact upon emission properties within a species.
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Guinan JJ. Physiology of the Medial and Lateral Olivocochlear Systems. AUDITORY AND VESTIBULAR EFFERENTS 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-7070-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Reciprocal synapses between outer hair cells and their afferent terminals: evidence for a local neural network in the mammalian cochlea. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2008; 9:477-89. [PMID: 18688678 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-008-0135-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2008] [Accepted: 07/14/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) serve both as sensory receptors and biological motors. Their sensory function is poorly understood because their afferent innervation, the type-II spiral ganglion cell, has small unmyelinated axons and constitutes only 5% of the cochlear nerve. Reciprocal synapses between OHCs and their type-II terminals, consisting of paired afferent and efferent specialization, have been described in the primate cochlea. Here, we use serial and semi-serial-section transmission electron microscopy to quantify the nature and number of synaptic interactions in the OHC area of adult cats. Reciprocal synapses were found in all OHC rows and all cochlear frequency regions. They were more common among third-row OHCs and in the apical half of the cochlea, where 86% of synapses were reciprocal. The relative frequency of reciprocal synapses was unchanged following surgical transection of the olivocochlear bundle in one cat, confirming that reciprocal synapses were not formed by efferent fibers. In the normal ear, axo-dendritic synapses between olivocochlear terminals and type-II terminals and/or dendrites were as common as synapses between olivocochlear terminals and OHCs, especially in the first row, where, on average, almost 30 such synapses were seen in the region under a single OHC. The results suggest that a complex local neuronal circuitry in the OHC area, formed by the dendrites of type-II neurons and modulated by the olivocochlear system, may be a fundamental property of the mammalian cochlea, rather than a curiosity of the primate ear. This network may mediate local feedback control of, and bidirectional communication among, OHCs throughout the cochlear spiral.
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Frequency-Specific Electrocochleography Indicates that Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Mechanisms of Auditory Neuropathy Exist. Ear Hear 2008; 29:314-25. [DOI: 10.1097/aud.0b013e3181662c2a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Choi YS, Lee SY, Parham K, Neely ST, Kim DO. Stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emission: measurements in humans and simulations with an active cochlear model. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2008; 123:2651-69. [PMID: 18529185 PMCID: PMC2481564 DOI: 10.1121/1.2902184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2007] [Revised: 03/03/2008] [Accepted: 03/04/2008] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
An efficient method for measuring stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) was developed incorporating (1) stimulus with swept frequency or level and (2) the digital heterodyne analysis. SFOAEs were measured for 550-1450 Hz and stimulus levels of 32-62 dB sound pressure level in eight normal human adults. The mean level, number of peaks, frequency spacing between peaks, phase change, and energy-weighted group delays of SFOAEs were determined. Salient features of the human SFOAEs were stimulated with an active cochlear model containing spatially low-pass filtered irregularity in the impedance. An objective fitting procedure yielded an optimal set of model parameters where, with decreasing stimulus level, the amount of cochlear amplification and the base amplitude of the irregularity increased while the spatial low-pass cutoff and the slope of the spatial low-pass filter decreased. The characteristics of the human cochlea were inferred with the model. In the model, an SFOAE consisted of a long-delay component originating from irregularity in a traveling-wave peak region and a short-delay component originating from irregularity in regions remote from the peak. The results of this study should be useful both for understanding cochlear function and for developing a clinical method of assessing cochlear status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Sun Choi
- Brain Science Research Center and Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
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Sahley TL, Anderson DJ, Chernicky CL. Bi-phasic intensity-dependent opioid-mediated neural amplitude changes in the chinchilla cochlea: partial blockade by an N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist. Eur J Pharmacol 2007; 580:100-15. [PMID: 18036588 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2007] [Revised: 10/10/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Dynorphins, glutamate, and glutamate-sensitive N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors exist in the mammalian cochlea. Dynorphins produce neural excitation and excitotoxic effects in the spinal cord through a kappa-opioid facilitation of NMDA receptor-sensitivity to glutamate. The kappa-opioid receptor drug agonists N-dimethylallyl-normetazocine [(-)-pentazocine (50 mmol)] and trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide [U-50488H (100 mmol)] were administered across the cochlear round window membrane in the chinchilla. Each drug produced significant post-baseline amplitude changes in the click-evoked auditory nerve compound action potential. Amplitude changes at threshold amounted to increases in sensitivity that ranged from 4-8 decibels, measured in sound pressure level (dB SPL). The large neural amplitude increases at threshold were accompanied by progressively smaller amplitude changes at 5 and 10 dB above threshold (dB SL). However, at stimulus intensities > or =20 dB SL, post-baseline neural amplitudes were suppressed to levels below baseline and control values. These bi-phasic intensity-dependent neural amplitude changes have never before been observed following i.v. administered (-)-pentazocine in this species. Finally, the bi-phasic neural amplitude changes in U-50488H-treated (100 mmol) animals were partially blocked (except at 20 dB SL), following a round window pre-treatment with the NMDA receptor drug antagonist, dizocilpine hydrogen maleate [(+)-MK-801 (8 mmol)]. Our data suggests that endogenous dynorphins within lateral efferent olivocochlear neurons differentially modulate auditory neural excitation, possibly through cochlear NMDA receptors and glutamate. The role played by lateral efferent opioid neuromodulation at cochlear NMDA receptors, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony L Sahley
- Department of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, United States.
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Le Prell CG. Role for the lateral olivocochlear neurons in auditory function. Focus on "Selective removal of lateral olivocochlear efferents increases vulnerability to acute acoustic injury". J Neurophysiol 2006; 97:963-5. [PMID: 17182904 DOI: 10.1152/jn.01223.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Sadeghi SG, Minor LB, Cullen KE. Response of vestibular-nerve afferents to active and passive rotations under normal conditions and after unilateral labyrinthectomy. J Neurophysiol 2006; 97:1503-14. [PMID: 17122313 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00829.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the possible contribution of signals carried by vestibular-nerve afferents to long-term processes of vestibular compensation after unilateral labyrinthectomy. Semicircular canal afferents were recorded from the contralesional nerve in three macaque monkeys before [horizontal (HC) = 67, anterior (AC) = 66, posterior (PC) = 50] and 1-12 mo after (HC = 192, AC = 86, PC = 57) lesion. Vestibular responses were evaluated using passive sinusoidal rotations with frequencies of 0.5-15 Hz (20-80 degrees /s) and fast whole-body rotations reaching velocities of 500 degrees /s. Sensitivities to nonvestibular inputs were tested by: 1) comparing responses during active and passive head movements, 2) rotating the body with the head held stationary to activate neck proprioceptors, and 3) encouraging head-restrained animals to attempt to make head movements that resulted in the production of neck torques of < or =2 Nm. Mean resting discharge rate before and after the lesion did not differ for the regular, D (dimorphic)-irregular, or C (calyx)-irregular afferents. In response to passive rotations, afferents showed no change in sensitivity and phase, inhibitory cutoff, and excitatory saturation after unilateral labyrinthectomy. Moreover, head sensitivities were similar during voluntary and passive head rotations and responses were not altered by neck proprioceptive or efference copy signals before or after the lesion. The only significant change was an increase in the proportion of C-irregular units postlesion, accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of regular afferents. Taken together, our findings show that changes in response properties of the vestibular afferent population are not likely to play a major role in the long-term changes associated with compensation after unilateral labyrinthectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush G Sadeghi
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
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Darrow KN, Maison SF, Liberman MC. Selective removal of lateral olivocochlear efferents increases vulnerability to acute acoustic injury. J Neurophysiol 2006; 97:1775-85. [PMID: 17093118 PMCID: PMC1805782 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00955.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cochlear sensory cells and neurons receive efferent feedback from the olivocochlear (OC) system. The myelinated medial component of the OC system and its effects on outer hair cells (OHCs) have been implicated in protection from acoustic injury. The unmyelinated lateral (L)OC fibers target ipsilateral cochlear nerve dendrites and pharmacological studies suggest the LOC's dopaminergic component may protect these dendrites from excitotoxic effects of acoustic overexposure. Here, we explore LOC function in vivo by selective stereotaxic destruction of LOC cell bodies in mouse. Lesion success in removing the LOC, and sparing the medial (M)OC, was assessed by histological analysis of brain stem sections and cochlear whole mounts. Auditory brain stem responses (ABRs), a neural-based metric, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), an OHC-based metric, were measured in control and surgical mice. In cases where the LOC was at least partially destroyed, there were increases in suprathreshold neural responses that were frequency- and level-independent and not attributable to OHC-based effects. These interaural response asymmetries were not found in controls or in cases where the lesion missed the LOC. In LOC-lesion cases, after exposure to a traumatic stimulus, temporary threshold shifts were greater in the ipsilateral ear, but only when measured in the neural response; OHC-based measurements were always bilaterally symmetric, suggesting OHC vulnerability was unaffected. Interaural asymmetries in threshold shift were not found in either unlesioned controls or in cases that missed the LOC. These findings suggest that the LOC modulates cochlear nerve excitability and protects the cochlea from neural damage in acute acoustic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith N. Darrow
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Division of Health Science and Technology, Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | - Stéphane F. Maison
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114
- Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - M. Charles Liberman
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114
- Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Division of Health Science and Technology, Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Ruel J, Wang J, Rebillard G, Eybalin M, Lloyd R, Pujol R, Puel JL. Physiology, pharmacology and plasticity at the inner hair cell synaptic complex. Hear Res 2006; 227:19-27. [PMID: 17079104 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2006.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2006] [Revised: 04/14/2006] [Accepted: 08/30/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This report summarizes recent neuropharmacological data at the IHC afferent/efferent synaptic complex: the type of Glu receptors and transporter involved and the modulation of this fast synaptic transmission by the lateral efferents. Neuropharmacological data were obtained by coupling the recording of cochlear potentials and single unit of the auditory nerve with intra-cochlear applications of drugs (multi-barrel pipette). We also describe the IHC afferent/efferent functioning in pathological conditions. After acoustic trauma or ischemia, acute disruption of IHC-auditory dendrite synapses are seen. However, a re-growth of the nerve fibres and a re-afferentation of the IHC were completely done 5 days after injury. During this synaptic repair, multiple presynaptic bodies were commonly found, either linked to the membrane or "floating" in ectopic positions. In the meantime, the lateral efferents directly contact the IHCs. The demonstration that NMDA receptors blockade delayed the re-growth of neurites suggests a neurotrophic role of NMDA receptors in pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Ruel
- INSERM U583-INM, Hôpital Saint Eloi, 80 Avenue Augustin Fliche, BP 74103, 34091 Montpellier cedex 5, France
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Housley GD, Marcotti W, Navaratnam D, Yamoah EN. Hair Cells – Beyond the Transducer. J Membr Biol 2006; 209:89-118. [PMID: 16773496 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-005-0835-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2005] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OVERVIEW This review considers the "tween twixt and twain" of hair cell physiology, specifically the signaling elements and membrane conductances which underpin forward and reverse transduction at the input stage of hair cell function and neurotransmitter release at the output stage. Other sections of this review series outline the advances which have been made in understanding the molecular physiology of mechanoelectrical transduction and outer hair cell electromotility. Here we outline the contributions of a considerable array of ion channels and receptor signaling pathways that define the biophysical status of the sensory hair cells, contributing to hair cell development and subsequently defining the operational condition of the hair cells across the broad dynamic range of physiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D Housley
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Ruel J, Wang J, Demêmes D, Gobaille S, Puel JL, Rebillard G. Dopamine transporter is essential for the maintenance of spontaneous activity of auditory nerve neurones and their responsiveness to sound stimulation. J Neurochem 2006; 97:190-200. [PMID: 16524378 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03722.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter released by the lateral olivocochlear efferents, has been shown tonically to inhibit the spontaneous and sound-evoked activity of auditory nerve fibres. This permanent inhibition probably requires the presence of an efficient transporter to remove dopamine from the synaptic cleft. Here, we report that the dopamine transporter is located in the lateral efferent fibres both below the inner hair cells and in the inner spiral bundle. Perilymphatic perfusion of the dopamine transporter inhibitors nomifensine and N-[1-(2-benzo[b]thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine into the cochlea reduced the spontaneous neural noise and the sound-evoked compound action potential of the auditory nerve in a dose-dependent manner, leading to both neural responses being completely abolished. We observed no significant change in cochlear responses generated by sensory hair cells (cochlear microphonic, summating potential, distortion products otoacoustic emissions) or in the endocochlear potential reflecting the functional state of the stria vascularis. This is consistent with a selective action of dopamine transporter inhibitors on auditory nerve activity. Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (EC-LIF) measurements showed that nomifensine-induced inhibition of auditory nerve responses was due to increased extracellular dopamine levels in the cochlea. Altogether, these results show that the dopamine transporter is essential for maintaining the spontaneous activity of auditory nerve neurones and their responsiveness to sound stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Ruel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U583, Institut des Neurosciences de Montpellier and University of Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
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Mulders WHAM, Robertson D. Gentamicin abolishes all cochlear effects of electrical stimulation of the inferior colliculus. Exp Brain Res 2006; 174:35-44. [PMID: 16528495 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-006-0418-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2005] [Accepted: 02/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of the inferior colliculus (IC) has been shown to result in suppression of cochlear output, due to activation of the medial olivocochlear system. This auditory efferent system originates in the brainstem and terminates on the outer hair cells in the cochlea. Recently, excitatory effects of IC stimulation have also been reported, both on cochlear gross potentials and on primary auditory afferents. It has been hypothesized that this excitation is due to co-activation of the lateral olivocochlear system, which synapses on the primary auditory afferent fibres contacting the inner hair cells. If stimulation of the IC leads to the activation of both the medial and lateral olivocochlear system, resulting in a mixture of inhibitory and excitatory effects in the cochlea, then removal of the inhibitory effects, by blocking the medial system, should lead to more pronounced excitatory effects out in the periphery. To investigate this hypothesis, we recorded the effect of IC stimulation on cochlear gross potentials as well as on single auditory primary afferents in guinea pigs following block of the medial olivocochlear system with gentamicin. We found that administration of gentamicin, whether intraperitoneally or by intracochlear perfusion, blocked all effects of IC stimulation, whether inhibitory or excitatory. These data strongly suggest that all effects observed after IC stimulation, both inhibitory as well as excitatory, are due to the activation of the medial olivocochlear system.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H A M Mulders
- The Auditory Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, 6009, Crawley, WA, Australia.
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Mulders WHAM, Robertson D. Noradrenergic modulation of brainstem nuclei alters cochlear neural output. Hear Res 2005; 204:147-55. [PMID: 15925200 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2005.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2004] [Accepted: 01/12/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The peripheral auditory sense organ, the cochlea, receives innervation from lateral and medial olivocochlear neurons in the brainstem. These neurons are able to modulate cochlear neural output. Anatomical studies have shown that one of the neurotransmitters which is present in varicosities surrounding the olivocochlear neurons in the brainstem is noradrenaline and previous work on brainstem slices has demonstrated a generally excitatory effect of noradrenaline on medial olivocochlear neurons. In order to assess in vivo the function of the noradrenergic inputs to olivocochlear neurons, we injected noradrenaline in the brainstem of anaesthetised guinea pigs and recorded ipsilateral cochlear electrical activity. Injections of noradrenaline close to the lateral olivocochlear neurons evoked increases in the sound-driven neural activity from the cochlea, measured as compound action potential (CAP) amplitude, as well as in the spontaneous activity, measured as amplitude of the 900 Hz peak of the spectrum of the neural noise in the cochlear fluids. In contrast, noradrenaline in the vicinity of the medial olivocochlear neurons evoked inhibitory effects on both the CAP amplitude and 900 Hz peak. These results indicate most likely an excitatory action of noradrenaline on both the lateral and medial olivocochlear neurons in the brainstem, and show that such noradrenergic inputs can modulate cochlear function.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H A M Mulders
- The Auditory Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Perth, Australia.
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Le Prell CG, Halsey K, Hughes LF, Dolan DF, Bledsoe SC. Disruption of lateral olivocochlear neurons via a dopaminergic neurotoxin depresses sound-evoked auditory nerve activity. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2005; 6:48-62. [PMID: 15735934 PMCID: PMC2504639 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-004-5009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2004] [Accepted: 10/29/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We applied the dopaminergic (DA) neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to the guinea pig cochlear perilymph. Immunolabeling of lateral olivocochlear (LOC) neurons using antibodies against synaptophysin was reduced after the MPTP treatment. In contrast, labeling of the medial olivocochlear innervation remained intact. As after brainstem lesions of the lateral superior olive (LSO), the site of origin of the LOC neurons, the main effect of disrupting LOC innervation of the cochlea via MPTP was a depression of the amplitude of the compound action potential (CAP). CAP amplitude depression was similar to that produced by LSO lesions. Latency of the N1 component of the CAP, and distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude and adaptation were unchanged by the MPTP treatment. This technique for selectively lesioning descending LOC efferents provides a new opportunity for examining LOC modulation of afferent activity and behavioral measures of perception.
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MESH Headings
- 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/pharmacology
- Action Potentials
- Adaptation, Physiological/drug effects
- Adaptation, Physiological/physiology
- Animals
- Cochlear Nerve/physiology
- Cochlear Nucleus/pathology
- Cochlear Nucleus/physiology
- Denervation
- Dopamine/physiology
- Dopamine Agents/pharmacology
- Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem/drug effects
- Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem/physiology
- Female
- Guinea Pigs
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Neurotoxins/pharmacology
- Olivary Nucleus/pathology
- Olivary Nucleus/physiology
- Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous/drug effects
- Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen G Le Prell
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0506, USA.
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Mulders WHAM, Robertson D. Diverse responses of single auditory afferent fibres to electrical stimulation of the inferior colliculus in guinea-pig. Exp Brain Res 2004; 160:235-44. [PMID: 15309356 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-004-2003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2004] [Accepted: 06/08/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Medial olivocochlear (MOC) neurons in the auditory brainstem project to the cochlea and inhibit cochlear neural output by their action on the cochlear outer hair cells. The function of the lateral olivocochlear (LOC) neurons, projecting to the auditory primary afferents is still under debate. Recent studies have suggested that the olivocochlear system can have frequency-specific, spatially restricted effects within the cochlea. It has been shown that the inferior colliculus (IC) projects to the MOC neurons in a tonotopic manner and that electrical stimulation of the IC can activate the MOC system, suppressing cochlear gross potentials. In addition, it has been shown that stimulation of the IC may be able to activate the LOC neurons. We investigated the effect of IC stimulation on single units in the cochlea of guinea-pigs and searched for evidence of spatially restricted effects of the MOC system and effects of the LOC system. We found a variety of effects on single units. About 40% of units were unchanged whereas others (53%) showed inhibitory effects, reflected in a rightward shift of their rate-level function, sometimes accompanied by a suppression of the spontaneous rate. About 18% of the inhibited neurons showed an increased spontaneous rate. In 5% of the units we observed an excitatory effect of IC stimulation, resulting in a leftward shift of the rate-level functions. We also found that the effect could vary greatly between units of the same and adjacent frequencies within a single animal. These results imply an involvement of another regulatory system besides the MOC system, possibly the LOC system, which acts directly on the primary afferents. These data also demonstrate that the olivocochlear system is capable of eliciting highly localized effects on different frequency regions in the cochlea.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H A M Mulders
- The Auditory Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, WA 6009, Crawley, Australia.
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Mulders WHAM, Robertson D. Dopaminergic olivocochlear neurons originate in the high frequency region of the lateral superior olive of guinea pigs. Hear Res 2004; 187:122-30. [PMID: 14698093 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5955(03)00308-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Dopaminergic neurons are known to exist within the lateral superior olive (LSO). The LSO is the nucleus of origin of the lateral olivocochlear neurons, which project to the cochlea and synapse onto the primary afferents contacting the inner hair cells. We investigated whether the dopaminergic neurons in the LSO are part of the lateral olivocochlear neuron population. We combined intracochlear injections of a fluorescent retrograde tracer with immunofluorescent staining of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). TH was used as a marker for dopaminergic neurons. After the injection with retrograde tracer most of the TH-labelled neurons in the LSO also contained the tracer, which directly demonstrates for the first time that the TH-labelled, dopaminergic neurons in the LSO are lateral olivocochlear neurons. TH-labelled neurons were not equally distributed over the LSO as is observed for the lateral olivocochlear neurons in general. TH-labelled neurons were almost exclusively seen in the medial, high frequency, limb of the LSO. Since the projection of the lateral olivocochlear neurons to the cochlea is known to be tonotopic, we investigated the TH-labelling in the cochlea as well. We found that the staining pattern of TH in the cochlea is in broad agreement with the distribution of TH-labelling in the LSO. Cochlear sections showed dense labelling in the basal and second, high frequency, turns and decreasing intensity of staining in the third turn, while the extreme apical, low frequency, turn was almost devoid of any positive TH-labelling. These observations imply that the dopaminergic neurons of the lateral olivocochlear system may play a role in the selective suppression of the high frequency fibers of the auditory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H A M Mulders
- The Auditory Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
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