Cochlear Microphonic Potential Research Articles

Effects of various vanadium compounds on cochlear potentials.

The effects of vanadium compounds, sodium vanadate, ammonium vanadate, potassium vanadate, vanadium oxysulfate, vanadium acetylacetonate, and vanadium trichloride, on endocochlear potential (EP) and cochlear microphonic potential (CM) were examined in the guinea pig cochlea. The perilymphatic space was perfused for 30 min with 1 mM solution of each compound and changes of EP, CM, and negative EP were observed. Upon perfusion with pentavalent vanadium solutions, such as sodium vanadate, ammonium vanadate, and potassium vanadate, the EP showed an overshoot at the beginning of perfusion and then a gradual decrease, while the CM showed only a gradual decrease. The other compounds had no effects on EP and CM. Since the negative EP showed no differences due to perfusion of any compound, it is concluded that the vanadate compounds have inhibitory effects on EP primarily, and on CM only secondarily. The chemical mechanism of the effects of vanadates was discussed concerning the function of the stria vascularis and also its participation in acute hearing loss.

Effects of vanadate on EP and its distribution in guinea pig cochlea.

Effects of sigma-sodium vanadate on endocochlear d.c. potential (EP) and cochlear microphonic potential (CM) were examined and its distribution was observed by an X-ray microanalyzer in the guinea pig cochlea. The perilymphatic space was perfused with 1, 5, and 10 mM solutions of sodium vanadate, using a Harvard Microperfusion pump. By perfusing the scala vestibuli, EP and CM showed a rapid decrease. On the other hand, by perfusing the scala tympani, EP showed an overshoot at first, then a gradual decrease, while CM showed only a gradual decrease. The rates of decrease of EP and CM were dependent upon perfusion time and vanadate concentration. After the electrophysiological examinations, the specimen of the cochlea was observed by X-ray microanalyzer. An accumulation of vanadium was confirmed, especially in the stria vascularis and the hair cells. From the results obtained, the possibility of the responsibility of vanadate for a hypothetical sudden deafness originating in the stria vascularis was discussed.

Directional hearing in the barn owl (Tyto alba).

The acoustical properties of the external ear of the barn owl (Tyto alba) were studied by measuring sound pressure in the ear canal and outer ear cavity. Under normal conditions, pressure amplification by the external ear reaches about 20 dB between 3-9 kHz but decreases sharply above 10 kHz. The acoustic gain curve of the outer ear cavity alone is close to that of a finite-length exponential horn between 1.2-13 kHz with maximum gain reaching 20 dB between 5-9 kHz. Pressure gain by the facial ruff produces a maximum of 12 dB between 5-8 kHz and decreases rapidly above 9 kHz. The directional sensitivity of the external ear was obtained from pressure measurements in the ear canal. Directivity of the major lobe is explained, to a first approximation, by the sound diffraction properties of a circular aperture. Aperture size is based on the average radius (30 mm) of the open face of the ruff. Above 5 kHz, the external ear becomes highly directional and there is a 26 degree disparity in elevation between the acoustic axis of the left and right ear. In azimuth, directivity patterns are relocated closer to the midline as frequency increases and the acoustic axis moves at a rate of 20 degree/octave between 2-13 kHz. Movement of the axis can be explained, to a first approximation, by the acoustical diffraction properties of an obliquely truncated horn, due to the asymmetrical shape of the outer ear cavity. The directional sensitivity of the barn owl ear was studied by recording cochlear microphonic (CM) potentials from the round window membrane. Between 3-9 kHz, CM directivity patterns are clearly different to the directivity patterns of the external ear; CM directionality is abruptly lost above 10 kHz. Above 5 kHz, CM directivity patterns are characterized by an elongated major lobe containing the CM axis, forming a tilted band of high amplitude but low directionality (CM axial plane), closely bordered by minima or nulls. The highest directionality is found in the CM directional plane, approximately perpendicular to the CM axial plane. The left and right ear axial planes are symmetrical about the interaural midline (tilted 12 degrees to the right of the midline of the head) and inclined by an average of 60 degrees to the left and right respectively. In azimuth, the CM axis moves towards the midline at a rate of 37 degrees/octave as frequency increases from 2-9 kHz, crossing into contralateral space near 7 kHz.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cytochalasin D suppresses sound evoked potentials in the guinea pig cochlea

Cytochalasin D (CD), an inhibitor of actin polymerization, was perfused through the guinea pig cochlea while monitoring various cochlear potentials. CD (10 −7 − 10 −5 M) reduced the magnitude of the compound action potential of the cochlear nerve and the summating potential, and increased N1 latency. The cochlear microphonic potential was the least sensitive potential with only a slight effect being observed at 10 −5 M. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that actin has a role in cochlear function.

Auditory self-stimulation by vocalization in the CF-FM bat,Rhinolophus rouxi

1. Cochlear microphonic potentials (CM) were recorded from the cochlear aqueduct ofRhinolophus rouxi in response to vocalizations and artificial stimuli. 2. Vocal self-stimulation was evaluated by comparing the amplitude of the vocalization-induced CM to the calibration curve of the CM determined with artificial stimuli. The equivalent sound pressure level for self-stimulation at the resting frequency of the bat ranged between 78 and 83 dB SPL. 3. The same value of self-stimulation was obtained when we measured the maximum amplitude of beats produced by interference between acoustic self-stimulation and a slightly frequency shifted (500 Hz) playback signal. 4. Middle ear muscle (MEM) contractions occurred in synchrony with vocalizations even though the vocal self-stimulation level was below the threshold for the acoustic MEM reflex. The vocalization-induced MEM contractions had little effect on energy transfer to the inner ear for frequencies around the resting frequency but led to a reduction of the response at lower frequencies. 5. The importance of the vocal self-stimulation for different behavioural conditions of echolocation in CF-FM bats is discussed.

Variations of cochlear microphonic potential after sectioning efferent fibers to the cochlea

Cochlear microphonic (CM) potentials were recorded, in guinea pig, with differential electrodes before and after sectioning the medial efferent innervation at the level of the brainstem. Sectioning the crossed part of the medial efferent innervation did not changethe CM whatever the frequency or level of stimulation used. Sectioning the medial — crossed and uncrossed — efferent fibers diminished CM amplitude at frequencies above 2 kHz. Thus, the ipsilateral medial efferent tract seems to be involved, through a tonic action, in controlling outer hair cell micromechanics.

バナジウムのか牛内電位に対する影響 Ｉ

The effects of vanadate (Na3VO4) on endocochlear DC potential (EP) and cochlear microphonics (CM) were studied at the basal turn of guinea pig cochlea and its distribution in the cochlea was observed with an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). The results obtained were as follows;1. With perfusion of vanadate solution from the scala tympani, EP showed a transient overshoot and then a gradual decrease.2. With the perfusion from scala vestibuli, EP showed a rapid decrease without an overshoot. The decrease of EP was time and dose dependent of vanadate perfusion.3. With anoxic anoxia, negative EP was recognized and its negative potential level was decreased by longer perfusion.4. Cochlear microphonic potentials showed a decrease in parallel with the decrease of EP.5. By the histolagical study with EPMA, abundant accumulation of vanadate was recognized at the stria vascularis and also at the Corti's organ.6. From the results obtained, it is concluded that vanadate inhibits the electrogenic pump at the stria vascularis and also inhibits the hair cells of Corti's organ.

The depression of the auditory nerve-brain-stem evoked response in hypoxaemia — mechanism and site of effect

During severe hypoxaemia in the cat the ABR was depressed in 2 different patterns: if mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was maintained then all other evoked potentials (EPs — somatosensory and visual) remained. If MAP was not maintained, all of these EPs were depressed. This study sought to document these different patterns of ABR depression and to ascertain their mechanisms. When MAP fell, the ABR loss began with the later waves and progressed to the earlier waves. These are signs of a central brain lesion. The hypoxaemia, detrimental to normal function of the cardiovascular system, leads to depression of MAP, to a fall in cerebral perfusion pressure and blood flow, to cerebral ischaemia and ABR loss. On the other hand, when MAP was maintained, severe hypoxaemia was accompanied by a depression of all of the ABR waves at the same time. The cochlear microphonic potential was also simultaneously depressed. These are signs of peripheral, cochlear effect similar to the demonstrated depression of the positive endocochlear resting potential of the scala media and of the cochlear microphonic potential during hypoxaemia. This leads to interference with cochlear transduction mechanism so that all of the auditory evoked potentials, including the ABR, are simultaneously depressed. These results lead to the suggestion that the ABR abnormalities seen in patients who suffered a hypoxic (anoxic) insult or an ischaemic episode (prolonged interpeak latencies, loss of later waves and finally all waves absent or only the first wave remaining) is always due to ischaemia even when the initial insult was hypoxic.

Vestibular microphonic potentials in pigeons.

Electrical responses to acoustic stimuli were measured by placing thin wire electrodes in the vestibular system of a pigeon model. Responses were measured after extirpation of the cochlea and the application of tetrodotoxin to the perilymphatic space. Responses seen were comparable to those of known cochlear microphonic potentials. These findings indicate that acoustic stimuli can evoke microphonic potentials in the vestibular system of the pigeon. We also found that vibrational amplitudes of less than 1 nm were sufficient to evoke a vestibular microphonic potential.

Development of mammalian endocochlear potential: normal ontogeny and effects of anoxia.

The development of the positive endocochlear potential (EP), the negative anoxic EP, and the organ of Corti potential were measured at various postnatal ages in the Mongolian gerbil, beginning at 8 days after birth (DAB). The organ of Corti potential (OCP) was present at 8 DAB but averaged 21% less than the adult value. OCP increased regularly with age, reaching adult values of -90 mV by 14 DAB. The positive EP was first observed at 10 DAB, at which age it averaged only 2-3 mV. This potential increased monotonically between 10 and 20 DAB, by which time it had reached the adult value of 75 mV. Anoxia did not result in a negative EP until 12 DAB, at which age this potential averaged -7 mV. The negative anoxic EP matured more rapidly than the positive EP, achieving the adult value of 40 mV by 18 DAB. During development the positive EP appeared to closely parallel the maturation of glucose metabolism in the stria vascularis. The negative anoxic EP was more closely related temporally to the development of cochlear microphonic potential (CM) thresholds. It is hypothesized that changes which occur between 10 and 16 DAB in the apical membranes of the cochlear hair cells contribute to the maturation of both CM and the negative anoxic EP.

Modifications of cochlear microphonic frequency responses following transient changes of hydrostatic pressure in the perilymph.

Cochlear microphonic potential was recorded with differential electrodes implanted in the various turns of the guinea-pig cochlea. Isointensity frequency responses were plotted in normal conditions and after excessive displacements of the cochlear partition. These displacements were provoked by changes of hydrostatic pressure in the perilymph of scala tympani or scala vestibuli. Typical modifications of the frequency response were observed. The most noticeable was a division in two parts of the response zone which suggested the existence of two resonance peaks. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that changes of hydrostatic pressure provoked alterations of the stereocilia in the outer rows of external hair cells, probably in relation with a decoupling of the tectorial membrane from the organ of Corti. These results are discussed in terms of possible alterations of cochlear micromechanics.

Comparative actions of quisqualate and N-methyl- d-aspartate, excitation amino acid agonists, on guinea-pig cochlear potentials

1. 1. We examined dose-dependent changes in the amplitude of guinea-pig cochlear microphonic potentials (CM), summating potentials (SP) and compound auditory nerve action potentials (CAP) produced after perfusing perilymphatie scalae with artificial perilymph containing either the transmitter candidate, l-glutamate; one of the excitatory amino acid agonists, quisqualate, kainate, N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) or d-glutamate; or the control, α-ketoglutarate. 2. 2. None of these compounds significantly altered CM or SP. Kainate abolished CAP, but only partial suppression occurred using maximal effective doses of quisqualate (67%) or l-glutamate (82%). The remaining compounds had only marginal effects on CAP. 3. 3. The potency of quisqualate ( ec 50 = 14.8 μ M) exceeded that of both kainate ( ec 50 = 66.9μ M) and l-glutamate ( ec 50 = 1.41 mM) . 4. 4. These data suggest the presence of neuronal, possibly postsynaptic, excitatory amino acid receptor subpopulations which are preferentially sensitive to quisqualate and to kainate, but not to NMDA. 5. 5. These findings are discussed in the framework of our hypothesis that the proposed quisqualate and kainate receptors are normally activated by an endogenous excitatory amino acid such as l-glutamate which the hair cells release as a neurotransmitter.

Hearing loss and visco-elasticity of middle ear fluid.

It has been suggested that the physical properties of middle ear effusion--its viscosity and elasticity--affect the degree of conductive impairment. Exogenous mucus having substantial visco-elasticity was instilled in the bullae of guinea pigs, and the resulting hearing loss was determined by measurements of the cochlear microphonic potential. In this preparation the hearing loss induced by mucus did not differ significantly from that found when the bulla was filled with saline. We find no evidence of a relationship between visco-elasticity of middle ear fluid and amount of conductive impairment.

A monaural space map in the guinea-pig superior colliculus

Under anechoic conditions, a horizontal array of loudspeakers was used to investigate the representation of auditory space in the guinea-pig superior colliculus. We have previously demonstrated that in animals with both ears intact, there is a topographical representation of the azimuthal dimension of auditory space in the deep layers of this nucleus. In the present study, we have investigated the contribution of monaural and binaural cues to the generation of the auditory space map. Occlusion of one ear or unilateral cochlear destruction resulted in omnidirectional responses in all cells to white-noise stimuli more than 20 dB suprathreshold. The sensitivity of cells to the location of sound at or near threshold was, however, unchanged and we demonstrate the presence of a threshold, monaural auditory space map. This monaural space map was destroyed by removal of the contralateral pinna and concha which resulted in all cells responding best, at threshold, to sounds opposite the external auditory meatus. Measurements of cochlear microphonic (CM) potentials, although variable, revealed that the pinna and concha may result in location-specific changes in the spectral pattern at the tympanic membrane.

Ontogeny of neural discharge patterns in the ventral cochlear nucleus of the Mongolian gerbil

Discharge patterns were recorded extracellularly from single neurons in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) of Mongolian gerbils ranging in age from 10 days after birth (DAB) to adult, a period which includes the onset of responsiveness to acoustic stimulation. At 10 DAB none of the neurons encountered within the VCN responded to acoustic stimulation. At 12 DAB approximately 15% of the neurons isolated in VCN were responsive. This coincided with the earliest cochlear microphonic potentials and preceded the appearance of the cochlear compound action potential (AP) by two days. At 14 DAB, or older, the great majority of neurons isolated in VCN responded to acoustic stimulation. Most parameters of VCN neural function exhibited significant changes between 12 and 18 DAB: neural thresholds improved approximately 100 dB; mean spontaneous discharge rate increased; the high-frequency range of characteristic frequency (CF) values increased from 10.0 to 24.0 kHz; the upper limit for phase locking increased from 0.8 kHz to 3.0 kHz; dynamic range increased from 16 dB to 44 dB, and the proportion of units with well-defined initial onset peaks in their post-stimulus-time (PST) response patterns increased from 40% to 100% of units. Most of the neural parameters examined achieved adult characteristics by 18 DAB. Frequency tuning (Q10dB) matured earlier for high-CF units. The most sharply tuned neurons with high CFs (>4 kHz) at 12 DAB had Q10dB values equal to those for adults. None of the neurons with low CFs (<4 kHz) had Q10dB values greater than 1.2 at this age. Classical ‘on’ PST response patterns were not seen at 12 and 14 DAB. A unique PST response type, characterized by very long latency phasic discharge, was observed only at 12 DAB. None of the VCN neurons recorded from 12 DAB subjects displayed rhythmic ‘bursting’ or ‘pulsing’ PST response patterns, as has been reported at the earliest stages of functional development in the VCN of the cat. Most units were capable of sustained discharge, even with long stimulus durations. Units with ‘primary-like’ PST response patterns at 12 exhibited greater variability in first spike latency and less pronounced initial rates of firing than was characteristic in adults, resulting in poorly defined onset peaks. In contrast, units with chopper PST response patterns showed well-defined onset peaks.

An energy-dependent step in aminoglycoside ototoxicity: prevention of gentamicin ototoxicity during reduced endolymphatic potential.

Guinea pigs received a bolus of gentamicin (10 mM for 5 min) by perilymphatic perfusion which normally led to an irreversible loss of the cochlear microphonic potential (CM). Various experimental conditions that reduced the endolymphatic potential (EP) were then superimposed on the gentamicin application. Reversible reductions in EP (and, concomitantly, in CM) were induced by asphyxia (3 min), intravenous furosemide (50 mg/kg), and perilymphatic perfusion of aminooxyacetic acid (10 mM). When the administration of gentamicin was initiated at the time of maximal EP reduction the usual irreversible gentamicin-induced decline of CM was prevented. The results indicate that a metabolic process is essential in the expression of gentamicin toxicity. The data are consistent with the inhibition of an energy-dependent transport of the aminoglycoside. Alternatively, the data are also compatible with the hypothesis that entry of gentamicin into hair cells is prevented by a reduction in their transmembrane electrical potential.

Evoked acoustic emissions and cochlear microphonics in the mustache bat, Pteronotus parnellii.

In the echolocating bat, Pteronotus parnellii, otoacoustic responses at a frequency of 62 kHz are measurable in the external ear canal during continuous and after transient acoustic stimulation. These responses are interpreted to represent emissions from the cochlea. They can reach an amplitude as large as 70 dB SPL and occur in the frequency range most important for echolocation, namely on the average about 700 Hz above the constant frequency component of the orientation calls. A sharp maximum of the amplitude of cochlear microphonic potentials at about 62 kHz could be correlated with the emission frequency. In one bat an evoked otoacoustic response changed to a spontaneous otoacoustic emission. The frequency and amplitude of the evoked otoacoustic responses reversibly decreased after exposure for 1 min to continuous sounds of more than 85 dB SPL with frequencies of about 2.5-7.5 kHz above the emission frequency. Similar effects occurred during anaesthesia or cooling. A possible relation between the existence of otoacoustic emissions and morphological specializations of the cochlea is discussed.

Gentamicin Ototoxicity Dissociated from Glucose Uptake and Utilization

The hypothesis was tested that gentamicin causes loss of cochlear microphonic potentials by interfering with glucose transport or metabolism in cochlear structures. Gentamicin (3 or 10 mM), applied by perilymphatic perfusion in the guinea pig, reduced cochlear microphonics in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of 5 mM glucose lowered the initial rate but not the final (60 min) loss of cochlear microphonics. Glucosamine (2-deoxy-2-aminoglucose), a reported inhibitor of glucose transport, had no effect at concentrations as high as 20 mM. Glucose utilization was measured by introducing radiolabeled deoxyglucose into the perfusate and determining its uptake into inner ear tissues. Concentrations of deoxyglucose-6-phosphate in organ of Corti and in stria vascularis increased linearly with time and remained unaffected by the presence of 3 mM gentamicin. Ten mM gentamicin reduced deoxyglucose uptake by 30% in the lateral wall tissues but not in the organ of Corti preparation. The lack of correlation between loss of microphonics and glucose utilization does not support interference with glucose metabolism as a primary mechanism of aminoglycoside ototoxicity.

The development of auditory function in the cochlea of the mongolian gerbil.

Cochlear microphonic (CM) potentials were recorded throughout the development of auditory function in the Mongolian gerbil. CM responses were first recorded at 12 days after birth (DAB), with thresholds exceeding 103 dB SPL. CM thresholds subsequently improved rapidly in a parallel fashion across the responsive frequency range, achieving adult levels by 18 DAB. There was no evidence from CM thresholds of a preferential rate of maturation for either the high or low frequency ranges. CM responses to suptrathreshold stimulation were also studied throughout development. At all responsive ages, CM input-output functions increased logarithmically to a saturating maximum value and then declined. Maximum CM responses increased continuously throughout development in a parallel fashion across all frequencies. The dynamic range of the CM input-output functions (the intensity interval from CM threshold to maximum CM value) also developed in a parallel manner across frequencies, but reached mature assymptotic values by 16 DAB. The results suggest that throughout the adult CM frequency range cochlear hair cell function develops simultaneously.

Cochlear microphonic responses of the peripheral auditory system to frequencyvarying signals

Cochlear partition displacement responses to rising and falling frequency sweeps were inferred from cochlear microphonic potentials recorded from three basal turn locations in the guinea pig cochlea. Relative phase measures of microphonic potentials recorded from the three locations suggested that displacements of the partition toward either scala vestibuli or scala tympani occurred closely together in time for rising sweeps and were dispersed in time for falling sweeps. These differences in peripheral response patterns to sweeps may explain, in part, asymmetric neural discharges elicited from higher neural centers.