Ouabain-induced cochlear nerve degeneration: synaptic loss and plasticity in a mouse model of auditory neuropathy

J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. 2014 Feb;15(1):31-43. doi: 10.1007/s10162-013-0419-7. Epub 2013 Oct 10.

Abstract

Ouabain application to the round window can selectively destroy type-I spiral ganglion cells, producing an animal model of auditory neuropathy. To assess the long-term effects of this deafferentation on synaptic organization in the organ of Corti and cochlear nucleus, and to ask whether surviving cochlear neurons show any post-injury plasticity in the adult, we quantified the peripheral and central synapses of type-I neurons at posttreatment times ranging from 1 to 3 months. Measures of normal DPOAEs and greatly reduced auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) confirmed the neuropathy phenotype. Counts of presynaptic ribbons and postsynaptic glutamate receptor patches in the inner hair cell area decreased with post-exposure time, as did counts of cochlear nerve terminals in the cochlear nucleus. Although these counts provided no evidence of new synapse formation via branching from surviving neurons, the regular appearance of ectopic neurons in the inner hair cell area suggested that neurite extension is not uncommon. Correlations between pathophysiology and histopathology showed that ABR thresholds are very insensitive to even massive neural degeneration, whereas the amplitude of ABR wave 1 is a better metric of synaptic degeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cochlea / drug effects
  • Cochlea / innervation
  • Cochlea / physiopathology
  • Cochlear Nerve / drug effects
  • Cochlear Nerve / pathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Nerve Degeneration / chemically induced*
  • Nerve Degeneration / pathology
  • Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects*
  • Organ of Corti / pathology
  • Organ of Corti / physiopathology
  • Ouabain / adverse effects*
  • Ouabain / pharmacology*
  • Presynaptic Terminals / drug effects
  • Presynaptic Terminals / parasitology
  • Receptors, Glutamate / drug effects
  • Receptors, Glutamate / physiology
  • Synapses / drug effects*
  • Synapses / pathology
  • Time Factors
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve Injuries / chemically induced*
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve Injuries / pathology
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve Injuries / physiopathology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Ouabain