Work

Deafness-induced plasticity in the mature central auditory system

Year: 1995

Type: article

Abstract: Studies in rats and guinea pigs indicate that local changes in inhibitory transmitters may underlie deafness-induced plastic changes in electrophysiological responsiveness of cells of the mature central auditory system. Following 21 days of bilateral deafness there is an increase in evoked Fos-immunoreactive neurones in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CIC) to contralateral cochlear electrical stimulation, compared with normal or 1-day deafened animals. Deafness is also associated with a dramatic reduction in the population of CIC neurones that respond with suppression of activity to electrical stimulation. Moreover, in vivo microdialysis reveals a marked decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from the CIC cells in deafened animals. The results may have general implications for the mediation of central nervous system plasticity induced by deafferentation of sensory input.

Source: Neuroreport

DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199512000-00054

Authors: Sanford C. Bledsoe, Shigeyo Nagase, Josef M. Miller, Richard A. Altschuler

Institution: University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics

Subfield: Sensory Systems

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders