Effects of submarine engine room steady noise on the compound action potential tuning curves and its relation to cochlear pathology in guinea pigs

Compound Action Potential Tuning Curves (CAP-TC) for tone pip of 2k, 4 kHz were examined in 8 guinea pigs before and after exposure to noise with main energy centered in the range of 0.25-4.0 kHz. CAP-TC was measured with the pure tone simultaneous masking profiles. AP was evoked by tone pip with an intensity of 10 dB above threshold. Masker level producing 40% reduction in AP amplitude was used. Relations between changes in CAP-TC and AP threshold shifts and the pathology of the stereocilia of hair cells were evaluated by surface preparation and SEM observation in 13 ears. After noise exposure, animals with damaged stereocilia showed AP threshold shift of 20-50 dB, deteriorations of CAP-TC, decrease of Q10 dB value, threshold shift of characteristic frequencies (CF) and displacement of CF towards higher frequencies. It showed that stereocilia damage may affect the susceptibility and frequency selectivity of the cochlea. We consider the CAP-TC may be an useful and sensitive index for detecting physiological and pathological conditions of the cochlea.     

Development of cochlear frequency selectivity tested by compound action potential tuning curves

Gross cochlear action potential tuning curves were recorded in kittens and rat pups to evaluate the development of cochlear frequency selectivity. In both species, cochlear tuning properties matured the same way and the appearance of adult-like sharp tuning curves coincided with the last histological stages of receptor development at the outer hair cell level.     

Relation between changes in compound action potential tuning curves and the pathology of cochlear hair cells stereocilia]

Relations of the changes of compound action potential tuning curve (AP-TC) and AP(N1) threshold to the pathology of the cochlear hair cells stereocilia were examined in acoustic-traumatized guinea pigs. The results showed that all animals with hair cell stereocilia damaged showed deteriorations of AP-TC. It supports the suggestion that mechanical properties of hair cell stereocilia contribute to the frequency selectivity of cochlea. After exposure, the characteristic frequency (CF) shift of AP-TC was observed. The mechanism of CF shift may be related to the lesion of hair cell stereocilia which may change normal tono-topic on cochlear level. Correlation between the damages of inner/outer hair cell stereocilia and changes of AP-TC and AP threshold suggested that the threshold and tuning properties of the cochlea are dependent upon the integrity of the inner and outer hair cells and their inter-relationship.     

Latency enhancement of the cochlear nerve compound action potential (CAP).

Forward maskers within two frequency-intensity domains are capable of decreasing (enhancing) CAP latency: one region flanks the low frequency tail, the other flanks the tip/high frequency slope regions of the latency tuning curve (TC). By contrast, amplitude enhancement typically does not flank the high frequency slope region.     

The influence of cochlear hearing loss and probe tone level on compound action potential tuning curves in humans

The effect of cochlear hearing loss and of probe tone level on slopes and sharpness of compound action potential tuning curves was investigated. Thirty-one simultaneously masked isoreduction (50%) tuning curves were determined in 26 adults with cochlear hearing losses up to 60 dB. Probe tone frequency was 2 or 3 kHz. Probe tone level was chosen as close as possible to the action potential threshold, usually within 30 dB. In 5 cases a second tuning curve was determined at a 20–30 dB higher probe tone level in order to differentiate between effects of hearing loss and of probe tone level itself on decrease of selectivity. Tuning was analysed in terms of high- and low-frequency slopes of the tuning curves, both in the steepest parts near the tip and overall, and in terms of Q_10dB. Slopes and tuning quality diminished with increasing hearing loss up to 60 dB. Part of the decrease in Q₁₀ could be attributed to increased probe tone level, implying that frequency selectivity is also a level-dependent property. In the same group of subjects so called ‘narrow-band’ (or ‘derived response’) compound action potential latencies were determined at 90 dB per SPL and a derived frequency similar to the probe tone in the tuning curve experiments. Narrow band latencies did not change significantly out of the normal range (2 periods) with increasing hearing loss. This implies that narow band latencies are not related to hearing loss, but reflect only the probe-level dependent impulse response delay. Analysis shows that it is possible to derived Q_10dB from narrow band latencies with probe level as a parameter.     

Latency and amplitude tuning curves of the N1 and N2 components of the cochlear nerve compound action potential

Compound action potential tuning curves (CAP TCs) generated by masking the N1 component of the CAP provide a means of assessing the ability of the cochlea to selectively tune to certain stimuli. This paper examines some of the factors which can influence this TC when a moderately intense (i.e. 40-80 dB SPL) probe stimulus is used. At these levels, each of the four corners of the trapezoidal stimulus envelope is capable of generating a CAP. Also, short stimulus rise times can merge the CAPs produced by the first two corners, but this does not appear to have a major effect on the CAP TC. It was shown that the N2 component of the CAP for the first corner of the stimulus is equally capable of producing a well-tuned TC. Another study has shown that, in addition to amplitude decrements, one can use latency increases as a criterion for CAP TCs. We have demonstrated that latency TCs are more finely tuned than amplitude TCs at high levels, especially when the stimulus rise time is short.     

Latency and amplitude compound action potential tuning curves for tonal stimuli with nontraditional envelopes

To evaluate the influence of the acoustic context on the latency and amplitude tuning curves (TCs) of cochlear nerve compound action potentials (CAPs), tonal stimuli were generated with a variety of amplitude modulation envelopes. CAPs were produced by intensity increases (onsets) and decreases (offsets) from the low ambient sound level and by intensity changes from a preexisting tonal level. Onset CAPs from ambient levels generated V-shaped TCs. However, when simultaneous masking was used with onset CAPs which were produced by a 5- to 12-dB increase from preexisting levels of approximately 65 dB SPL, TCs were W-shaped and similar in appearance to those produced by simultaneous masking of offset CAPs. The forward masking of this same CAP resulted in a very sharp V-shaped TC. These data suggest that the preadaptation to 10 ms of a moderate level of a tonal stimulus can increase the tuning of ensembles of cochlear neurons to subsequent transient amplitude changes.     

Age-dependent changes of the compound action potential in the guinea pig

As a measure of age-related changes in the most peripheral neural part of the auditory pathway, the compound action potential of the guinea pig was analyzed. In addition to a marked threshold elevation, there was a significantly lower potential amplitude in old animals. By contrast, the latency of the compound action potential was unchanged. In view of the fact that the relative amplitude increase in the intensity range tested was the same in old as in young animals, the implication is that the auditory-nerve neurons that are still excited do not exhibit functional deterioration with aging.     

Age-dependent changes of the compound action potential in the guinea pig

Summary As a measure of age-related changes in the most peripheral neural part of the auditory pathway, the compound action potential of the guinea pig was analyzed. In addition to a marked threshold elevation, there was a significantly lower potential amplitude in old animals. By contrast, the latency of the compound action potential was unchanged. In view of the fact that the relative amplitude increase in the intensity range tested was the same in old as in young animals, the implication is that the auditory-nerve neurons that are still excited do not exhibit functional deterioration with aging.With the support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)     

CAP amplitude after impulse noise exposure in guinea pigs

In this study, 21 guinea pigs were submitted to a single high energy impulse noise (gun shot with blank projectiles). The auditory function was evaluated over a 7-day recovery period by recording the compound action potential (CAP) from the round window. The threshold shift and input/output function (CAP amplitude and delay function of the stimulus intensity) were studied at different frequencies. CAP amplitude fell after the noise trauma, especially at the lower sound level, resulting in a threshold shift. Latency was significantly increased. During recovery, whereas latency returned to its initial value, CAP amplitude gradually increased and, in half the animals, exceeded the control value for the higher levels of stimulus. This could have been because of progressive disinhibition or recruitment, and may correspond clinically to hyperacusis. These results are discussed referring to those obtained by other authors using other methods.     

Age-related changes in the compound action potentials of the eighth nerve in guinea pigs

The eighth nerve compound action potential (CAP) in 95 guinea pigs was measured using click stimuli to investigate age-related changes in their neural auditory thresholds. The animals were separated into three groups: group A (n = 43, 86 ears; 2–4 months old); group B (n = 29; 58 ears, 13–15 months old); and group C (n = 23; 46 ears, 23–25 months old). With increasing age, a gradual elevation of CAP thresholds was clearly seen among the three groups. The negative peak (N1) latencies of the CAP were prolonged, and the N1 amplitudes of the CAP decreased. There were significant differences in N1 latencies among the three groups and in N1 amplitudes between groups A and B, and between groups A and C. However, the rate of decline of the thresholds as well as the input-output function curves of the CAP varied in some of the oldest animals, suggesting that there were some individual differences in degenerative aging processes of the auditory system.     

Enhancement of the cochlear nerve compound action potential: sharply defined frequency-intensity domains bordering the tuning curve.

Forward masking can either decrease or increase the response to a subsequent stimulus. In the gerbil, frequency-intensity domains of the maskers that decrease the amplitude of the compound action potential (CAP) can be plotted as the sharply defined CAP tuning curve (TC). Regions were also found over which masking increases (enhances) the amplitude of the CAP. Center-frequency (CF) enhancement domains were found in approximately 2/3 of the animals tested, in response to maskers having frequencies very near that of the probe stimulus, at levels ranging from below the CAP detection threshold to just below the tip threshold of the TC. Approximately 2/3 of the animals showing CF enhancement also displayed low-frequency (LF) enhancement, in response to a domain which borders the low-frequency tail of the TC.     

Detuning of cochlear action potential tuning curves at high sound pressure levels: influence of temporal, spectral and intensity variables

Action potential (AP) tuning curves (TCs), generated by probe stimuli of 60-65 dB SPL with short rise and decay (r&d) times, are less sensitive (have elevated tip thresholds) and are detuned (the frequency is shifted away from that of the probe stimulus, towards a middle frequency of the audiogram). These effects are more pronounced with forward than with simultaneous masking. TCs generated by masking tonal and narrow band noise stimuli are nearly identical, even though the spectrum is much wider for the noise stimulus. Decreasing r&d time has the same effect on TCs generated from both noise and tonal stimuli, even when it only measurably increases the acoustic splatter of the latter. Detuning appears to be related to a temporal-intensity interaction.     

P物质抗体对豚鼠耳蜗核下丘核团内听觉诱发电位调谐曲线的影响

探索Ｐ物质在听觉脑干中枢中对声信号的频率分析作用。方法采用短音刺激,短纯音前掩蔽法和豚鼠耳蜗核、正丘、核团内电极,记录ＣＮ及ＩＣ核团内听觉诱发电位。观察核团内注射微量Ｐ物质抗体或对照注射等量兔血清后ＣＮ和ＩＣ核团内听觉诱发电位调谐曲线的变化。     

Norepinephrine in cochlear microcirculation of guinea pigs

The blood flow in the radiating arteriole through a small cochlear fenestra was recorded with motion pictures in anesthetized guinea pigs, before and after norepinephrine injection into the ipsilateral carotid artery. The flow velocity was determined by measuring the displacement of plasma space running through the radiating arteriole per second. Norepinephrine injection of 0.01 and 0.15 mg/kg increased both flow velocity and arterial blood pressure. The flow velocity increase related directly to the increase in arterial blood pressure. However, a larger norepinephrine dose (1.2 and 2.5 mg/kg) led to transient cessation in flow, which was independent of the blood pressure increase. Dilatation of vessel diameter was always observed with the rise in blood pressure, irrespective of norepinephrine doses. When blood flow in the radiating arteriole stopped after a large norepinephrine injection, the arteriole's vascular lumen was completely obstructed by the aggregated red blood cells. These results suggested that cochlear microcirculation is disturbed by microemboli formed by norepinephrine-induced platelet hyperaggregation.     

Effects of perilymphatic perfusion with cisplatin on the cochlear potential in guinea pigs

The effects of three concentrations of cisplatin, administered by acute perilymphatic perfusion on the endocochlear potential (EP) and the cochlear microphonic potential (CM) of the guinea pig cochleae, at 1 kHz are reported. No change in EP magnitude was discovered and a concentration-dependent reduction in CM amplitude occurred during 60 minutes' perfusion period. The results suggest that cisplatin-induced hearing loss is not necessarily progressive degradation of EP.     

The effects of histamine and its antagonists on the cochlear microphonic and the compound action potential of the guinea pig

OBJECT: we studied the effects of histamine, the H1 receptor antagonist pyrilamine, and the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine on the cochlear potential of guinea pigs (cochlear microphonic, CM; compound action potential, CAP). METHODS: histamine was applied into the cochlear perilymph at three different dosages (10 microM, 50 microM or 10 mM). Pyrilamine and cimetidine were applied at 50 microM each. RESULTS: histamine increased the CAP at 10 and 50 microM without any significant effects on the CM. The effects of histamine at 50 microM were suppressed by the 50-microM of pyrilamine and cimetidine. At 10 mM of histamine, CAP and CM amplitudes were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: in low concentrations, histamine may act as an extracellular signal on inner hair cells (IHCs) or it may stimulate the afferent nerve by binding to their H1 and H2 receptors. A possible explanation for the inhibitory effects of histamine at 10-mM dosage was apparently found in that the effects of the high concentration may be supraphysiological; and furthermore, there is a difference in the mechanism by which histamine exerts its effects mediated by the histamine receptors on the cochlea.