大鼠听觉反应阈的测定

应用微电极技术测定了45只大鼠325根单一听神经纤维的特征频率及其阈值和调谐曲线。测得特征频率的最低值为0.58kHz,最高值为62.6kHz。敏感度最高的频带在20～50kHz,敏感度最高的阈值为6dB(SPL),其相应的频率为27.49kHz。由最低阈值连线延续到边侧的调谐曲线,便形成了大鼠整个的听反应阈曲线。该听反应阈曲线与行为测听所观察到的听力曲线近似。     

CBA、BALB／c、C57BL、昆明系小鼠及豚鼠听性脑干反应阈值的检测

目的:比较CBA、BALB/c、C57BL、昆明系小鼠及豚鼠5种啮齿类动物的正常听性脑干反应(ABR)的阈值及其频率特性.方法:采用IHS SmartEP 3.91系统对4种小鼠和豚鼠的ABR进行检测和比较,使用短音(Tone-pip)作为刺激声测定其各频率的阈值及其特点,绘制各自的听觉频率-阈值的关系曲线,找出各自的最佳刺激频率.结果:五种啮齿类动物中,豚鼠的ABR阈值最低,然后依次是昆明系小鼠,CBA小鼠,BALB/c小鼠,C57BL小鼠;其ABR最佳反应阈值均为10 kHz,即在10 kHz时各自的ABR阈值最低;频率低于10 kHz时,其ABR阈值逐渐升高,高于10 kHz时,ABR阈值逐渐降低,这是五种被检测动物ABR频率-阈值的关系曲线的共同特点.结论:实验所检测的五种啮齿类动物中,豚鼠的听觉功能最好:在4种小鼠中,昆明系小鼠的听觉功能较其余小鼠的为好;这五种啮齿类动物的听觉最适刺激频率均为10 kHz,最适合的测试频率范围是8 kHz至24 kHz.     

幼小蝙蝠下丘神经元的听反应特性

实验在出生6—8天的8只幼龄鲁氏菊头蝠(Rhinolophus rouxi)上进行。使用玻璃微电极记录中脑下丘听神经元对超声信号的反应。共观察了162个听单位,它们对超声反应的最佳频率分布范围为25.8—60.9千赫,多数集中在43.0—47.0千赫。反应的潜伏期在6.0—38.0毫秒,平均为15.4±5.2毫秒。反应的最低阈值在25—84dB,平均为69.8±10.3dB.这些神经元对超声刺激的调谐曲线都较宽阔,故Q10-dB值都较小。当微电极由下丘表面垂直下插时,所记录到的神经元的最佳频率与记录深度之间不存在相关关系,即没有音调筑构现象。听神经元的这些特性与同种成年动物构成显著差异。     

菊头幅出生后下丘听神经元反应特性的演化

实验在出生后1周到6周的幼年和成年鲁氏菊头蝠(Rhinolophusrouxi)上进行。结果发现,出生第1周的动物下丘听神经元对超声刺激反应的最佳频率低,潜伏期长,阈值高。它们的平均值分别为:31.24±14.08千赫,16.56±3.83毫秒和74.24±6.22dB。同时,调谐曲线宽阔,Q10-dB值小,其均值为2.34±0.96。随着周令增长,上述特性逐渐改变。到第6周时,最佳频率的均值发展到70.16±19.16千赫,最佳频率分布峰值也移至75—85千赫的高频段,反应潜伏期均值降至8.12±1.86毫秒,阈值均值降至32.82±26.36dB,已出现相当多具有非常陡削调谐曲线的神精元,Q10-dB值在20以上者占到80％,有的高达100以上,已接近成年动物。     

菊头幅出生后下丘听神经元反应特性的演化

实验在出生后1周到6周的幼年和成年鲁氏菊头蝠(Rhinolophusrouxi)上进行。结果发现,出生第1周的动物下丘听神经元对超声刺激反应的最佳频率低,潜伏期长,阈值高。它们的平均值分别为:31.24±14.08千赫,16.56±3.83毫秒和74.24±6.22dB。同时,调谐曲线宽阔,Q10-dB值小,其均值为2.34±0.96。随着周令增长,上述特性逐渐改变。到第6周时,最佳频率的均值发展到70.16±19.16千赫,最佳频率分布峰值也移至75—85千赫的高频段,反应潜伏期均值降至8.12±1.86毫秒,阈值均值降至32.82±26.36dB,已出现相当多具有非常陡削调谐曲线的神精元,Q10-dB值在20以上者占到80％,有的高达100以上,已接近成年动物。     

弱背景噪声对大鼠听皮层神经元频率调谐的影响

在自然环境中,人和动物常在一定的背景噪声下感知信号声刺激,然而,关于低强度的弱背景噪声如何影响听皮层神经元对声刺激频率的编码尚不清楚.本研究以大鼠听皮层神经元的频率反应域为研究对象,测定了阈下背景噪声对79个神经元频率反应域的影响.结果表明,弱背景噪声对大鼠初级听皮层神经元的听反应既有抑制性影响、又有易化性影响.一般来说,抑制性影响使神经元的频率调谐范围和最佳频率反应域缩小,易化性影响使神经元的频率调谐范围和最佳频率反应域增大.对于少数神经元,弱背景噪声并未显著改变其频率调谐范围,但却改变了其最佳频率反应域范围.弱背景噪声对63.64%神经元的特征频率和55.84%神经元的最低阈值无显著影响.神经元频率调谐曲线的尖部比中部更容易受到弱背景噪声的影响.该研究结果有助于我们进一步理解复杂声环境下大脑听皮层对听觉信息的编码机制.     

足月新生儿听觉脑干电反应的特性

本文工作根据北京市儿童医院临床的需要,在临床实验条件下对足月新生儿的ABR进行了测量,以期分析足月新生儿ABR的电反应特征。 新生儿听觉脑干反应(ABR)的波形是Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波为主的连续波复合体;新生儿在声强80dB(HL)刺激频率20次/秒的短声刺激条件下,I、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期大体为2.50,5.00和7.00ms;新生儿ABR潜伏期—刺激强度函数的斜率是30—60μsec/dB(声刺激强度从80到50dB(HL),声刺激频率20次/秒);新生儿ABR Ⅴ波对Ⅰ波的比率大于1.0(短声强度80dB(HL),刺激频率20次/秒);在80dB(HL)短声条件下,改变声刺激频率(从20次/秒增止100次/秒),Ⅴ波潜伏期约延长0.6—1.0ms;新生儿ABR阈值在30—60dB(HL)的范围。综上所述新生儿ABR电反应特性,可以为其听力和脑干功能的临床诊断提供可靠的指标和依据。     

弱噪声对小鼠下丘神经元频率调谐的影响

为探讨弱噪声对小鼠 (MusmusculusKm)中脑下丘 (inferiorcolliculus ,IC)神经元声信号提取的影响 ,采用单位胞外记录方法 ,研究了加入弱白噪声 (强度相当于纯音阈强度下 5dB)前后神经元频率调谐曲线的变化。实验共记录到 10 4个下丘神经元 ,测量了 32个神经元的频率调谐曲线。结果显示 :①弱噪声条件下神经元的频率调谐曲线表现出 3种类型 ,即锐化 (34 4 % ,11/ 32 )、拓宽 (18 8% ,6 / 32 )和不受影响 (4 6 9% ,15 / 32 ) ,其中锐化呈现有意义的变化 ;②频率调谐受弱噪声锐化的神经元 ,其Q10 、Q3 0 平均分别增大 (34 4 2±17 0 4 ) % (P =0 0 2 6 ,n =11)和 (4 6 34± 2 2 88) % (P =0 0 0 9,n =7) ,且Q3 0 变化率大于Q10 ;③弱噪声对调谐曲线的高、低频边锐化度不一 ,神经元低频边的反转斜率基本不变 [由 0 16± 0 0 8变为 0 16± 0 0 7kHz/dB (P =0 94 7,n =7) ],而高频边明显下降 [由 0 5 2± 0 2 5下降为 0 2 6± 0 13kHz/dB ,平均减小 (4 3 81±2 4 0 6 ) % ,(P =0 0 4 6 ,n =7) ]。上述结果表明 ,弱噪声可锐化小鼠IC神经元频率调谐 ,并强化神经元的声信号高频分析能力     

骨导声诱发的耳声发射耳蜗图

用不同频率的短纯音骨导刺激,在7名(14耳)听力正常受试者同时记录双耳声诱发耳声发射(EOAE)。此法比单耳轮流记录省时一半。研究结果表明,EOAE 为一种窄带声,其中心频率随刺激声频率增高而增高,提示 EOAE 产生部位在接受刺激声频率对应的耳蜗部位附近。EOAE 的潜伏期与刺激强度无明显关系,但有随刺激声频率增高而变短的趋势,可能与不同频率刺激声诱发的 EOAE 在基底膜上产生的部位与鼓膜之间的距离不等有关。除1耳用4.0kHz 外,用1.0,2.0,3.0和4.0kHz 短纯音刺激在14耳全可记录到 EOAE,0.5kHz和6.0kHz 则分别在10耳和7耳记录到 EOAE。0.5—6.0kHz 短纯音诱发的 EOAE 的阈值均值连线所得的声发射耳蜗图上可见,1.0kHz 处阈值最低,而在这些受试者所测得的中耳共振频率平均值为1100±230Hz,推测1.0kHz EOAE 阈值最低与中耳的传导函数有关。本文描述的骨导双耳同时记录 EOAE 并描记声发射耳蜗图的方法可用于临床的听力客观评价。     

刺激大鼠杏仁外侧核对皮层A Ⅰ区ON-OFF神经元反应及调谐曲线的影响

在30只氨基甲酸乙酯麻醉的SD大鼠上记录神经元单位放电,观察短纯音诱发的皮层A Ⅰ区神经元ON-OFF反应的特性及电刺激杏仁外侧核(lateral amygdaloid nucleus,LA)对ON-OFF反应以及调谐曲线的影响.实验证实,A Ⅰ区神经元ON-OFF反应的模式与纯音刺激的强度、频率及作用时程有关;刺激LA可以抑制ON-OFF反应的放电频数,使反应的阈值升高,或使反应放电构型发生变化;此外,刺激LA能使ON-OFF神经元的调谐曲线变窄,Q10数值增大.研究结果不仅表明ON-OFF神经元能对纯音刺激的时程、强度和频率等多种信息进行编码,而且还证明杏仁外侧核可以在皮层水平参与听觉信息的调制,削弱或衰减某些听觉信息,导致整个调谐曲线上移变窄,从而提高A Ⅰ区ON-OFF神经元的频率选择性能,有利于检测外界嘈杂环境中特定的听觉信息.     

Frequency sensitivity and directional hearing in the gleaning bat,Plecotus auritus (Linnaeus 1758)

1. The neural audiogram of the common long-eared bat, Plecotus auritus was recorded from the inferior colliculus (IC). The most sensitive best frequency (BF) thresholds for single neurones are below 0 dB SPL between 7-20 kHz, reaching a best value of -20 dB SPL between 12-20 kHz. The lower and upper limits of hearing occur at 3 kHz and 63 kHz, respectively, based on BF thresholds at 80 dB SPL. BF threshold sensitivities are about 10 dB SPL between 25-50 kHz, corresponding to the energy band of the sonar pulse (26-78 kHz). The tonotopic organization of the central nucleus of the IC (ICC) reveals that neurones with BFs below 20 kHz are disproportionately represented, occupying about 30% of ICC volume, occurring in the more rostral and lateral regions of the nucleus. 2. The acoustical gain of the external ear reaches a peak of about 20 dB between 8-20 kHz. The gain of the pinna increases rapidly above 4 kHz, to a peak of about 15 dB at 7-12 kHz. The pinna gain curve is similar to that of a simple, finite length acoustic horn; expected horn gain is calculated from the average dimensions of the pinna. 3. The directional properties of the external ear are based on sound diffraction by the pinna mouth, which, to a first approximation, is equivalent to an elliptical opening due to the elongated shape of the pinna. The spatial receptive field properties for IC neurones are related to the directional properties of the pinna. The position of the acoustic axis of the pinna and the best position (BP) of spatial receptive fields are both about 25 degrees from the midline between 8-30 kHz but approach the midline to 8 degrees at 45 kHz. In elevation, the acoustic axis and the BP of receptive fields move upwards by 20 degrees between 9-25 kHz, remaining stationary for frequencies up to 60 kHz. 4. The extremely high auditory sensitivity shown by the audiogram and the directionality of hearing are discussed in terms of the adaptation of the auditory system to low frequencies and the role of a large pinna in P. auritus. The functional significance of low frequency hearing in P. auritus is discussed in relation to hunting for prey by listening and is compared to other gleaning species.     

Hearing in blind subterranean Zambian mole-rats (Cryptomys sp.): collective behavioural audiogram in a highly social rodent

Thresholds for pure tone detection were examined in the common mole-rat, Cryptomys sp. (Bathyergidae, Rodentia) using a positive reinforcement procedure. To bypass the problems connected with testing isolated individuals of this extremely social species, a collective behavioural audiogram was determined for a family group of seven mole-rats. Within the tested frequency range of 225 to 18 kHz, the lowest thresholds (as low as 7.5 dB SPL, on average 24 dB SPL) were found at 800 Hz, the upper limit of hearing (at the level of 60 dB SPL) was at 18 kHz. The behavioural audiogram combines the results of previous studies on hearing in this species. It resembles the distortion threshold curve but differs from neurophysiological data as far as the high frequency cutoff is concerned. On the other hand, the region of the best hearing sensitivity is narrow in behavioural audiogram and neurophysiological curves but rather broad in the distortion threshold curve. In general, the behavioural audiogram of Cryptomys is in many aspects comparable with the available audiograms of other subterranean rodents. Accepted: 18 February 1997     

Discharge patterns of cochlear ganglion neurons in the chicken

Summary Physiological recordings were made of the compound action potential from the round window and single neurons in the cochlear ganglion of normal adult chickens (Gallus domesticus). The compound action potential threshold to tone bursts decreased from approximately 42 dB at 0.25 kHz to 30 dB between 1 and 2 kHz and then increased to 51 dB at 4 kHz. Most of the cochlear ganglion cells had characteristic frequencies below 2 kHz and the thresholds of most neurons were roughly 30–35 dB lower than the compound action potential thresholds. At any given characteristic frequency, thresholds varied by as much as 60 dB and units with the highest thresholds tended to have the lowest spontaneous rates. Spontaneous discharge rates ranged from 0 to 200 spikes/s with a mean rate of 86 spikes/s. Interspike interval histograms of spontaneous activity often contained regular peaks with the time interval between peaks approximately equal to 1/(characteristic frequency). Tuning curves were sharply tuned and V-shaped with approximately equal slopes to the curves above and below characteristic frequency. Q_10dB and Q_30dB values for the tuning curves increased with characteristic frequency. Post stimulus time histograms showed sustained firing during the stimulus and were characterized by a slight-to-moderate peak at stimulus onset. Most units showed vigorous phase-locking to tones at characteristic frequency although the degree of phase-locking declined sharply with increasing characteristic frequency. Discharge rate-level functions at characteristic frequency had a mean dynamic range of 42 dB and a mean saturation firing rate of 327 spikes/s. In general, the firing patterns of cochlear ganglion neurons are similar in most respects to those reported in other avians, but differ in several important respects from those seen in mammals.Abbreviations CF characteristic frequency - CAP compound action potential     

Correspondence between evoked vocal responses and auditory thresholds in Pleurodema thaul (Amphibia; Leptodactylidae)

Thresholds for evoked vocal responses and thresholds of multiunit midbrain auditory responses to pure tones and synthetic calls were investigated in males of Pleurodema thaul, as behavioral thresholds well above auditory sensitivity have been reported for other anurans. Thresholds for evoked vocal responses to synthetic advertisement calls played back at increasing intensity averaged 43 dB RMS SPL (range 31–52 dB RMS SPL), measured at the subjects’ position. Number of pulses increased with stimulus intensities, reaching a plateau at about 18–39 dB above threshold and decreased at higher intensities. Latency to call followed inverse trends relative to number of pulses. Neural audiograms yielded an average best threshold in the high frequency range of 46.6 dB RMS SPL (range 41–51 dB RMS SPL) and a center frequency of 1.9 kHz (range 1.7–2.6 kHz). Auditory thresholds for a synthetic call having a carrier frequency of 2.1 kHz averaged 44 dB RMS SPL (range 39–47 dB RMS SPL). The similarity between thresholds for advertisement calling and auditory thresholds for the advertisement call indicates that male P. thaul use the full extent of their auditory sensitivity in acoustic interactions, likely an evolutionary adaptation allowing chorusing activity in low-density aggregations.     

Sensory basis for sound intensity discrimination in the bushcricket Requena verticalis (Tettigoniidae, Orthoptera)

The ability of the female bushcricket, Requena verticalis, to discriminate between two conspecific sound signals that differed in sound pressure level (SPL) was tested in a two-choice paradigm. Significant discrimination was achieved with a 2-dB difference. The property of each pair of receptors to establish binaural discharge differences was investigated in electrophysiological experiments. The threshold to the conspecific signal varies for each fibre from about 40 to 90 dB SPL, allowing for a range fractionation of the hearing organ. Each pair of receptors establishes significant binaural discharge differences only within a restricted intensity range about 10 dB above threshold. Based on a model of the intensity response function of a receptor the total discharge of the 22 receptors in both ears was calculated with monaural and binaural stimulation. The profile of receptors exhibiting significant discharge differences changes with increasing SPL, from the most sensitive fibres with a characteristic frequency between 12 kHz and 35 kHz at low SPLs to the least sensitive fibres at very low and high characteristic frequencies at medium to high SPLs. The discharge difference with an intensity difference of 2 dB is rather small (4% of the total receptor activity) and limited only to a few pairs of receptors. Accepted: 8 November 1997     

Functional correlates of characteristic frequency in single cochlear nerve fibers of the Mongolian gerbil

Summary Single-unit recordings obtained from the auditory nerve of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, revealed functional differences in the response properties of neurons tuned to low and high frequencies. The distribution of neural thresholds displayed a distinct rise for auditory nerve fibers with characteristic frequencies] (CFs) between 3–5 kHz. This frequency band also marked abrupt changes in both the distribution of spontaneous discharge rates and the shape of the neural tuning curve. For neurons of all CFs, spontaneous firing rates were inversely related to neural threshold but unrelated to sharpness of neural tuning. The range of CF thresholds encountered, even when data from many animals were combined, rarely exceeded 20 dB, suggesting that cochlear nerve responses obtained from this species display little inter-animal variability. These results are compared with similar data from other species and discussed in terms of recent studies on sound communication and cochlear anatomy in gerbils.Abbreviations CF characteristic frequency - SR spontaneous discharge rate     

Hearing and frequency dependence of auditory interneurons in the parasitoid fly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Homotrixa alleni</Emphasis> (Tachinidae: Ormiini)

The parasitoid tachinid fly Homotrixa alleni detects its hosts by their acoustic signals. The tympanal organ of the fly is located at the prothorax and contains scolopidial sensory units of different size and orientation. The tympanal membrane vibrates in the frequency range of approximately 4–35 kHz, which is also reflected in the hearing threshold measured at the neck connective. The auditory organ is not tuned to the peak frequency (5 kHz) of the main host, the bush cricket Sciarasaga quadrata. Auditory afferents project in the three thoracic neuromeres. Most of the ascending interneurons branch in all thoracic neuromeres and terminate in the deutocerebrum of the brain. The interneurons do not differ considerably in frequency tuning, but in their sensitivity with lowest thresholds around 30 dB SPL. Suprathreshold responses of most neurons depend on frequency and intensity, indicating inhibitory influence at higher intensities. Some neurons respond particularly well at low frequency sounds (around 5 kHz) and high intensities (80–90 dB SPL), and thus may be involved in detection of the primary host, S. quadrata. The auditory system of H. alleni contains auditory interneurons reacting in a wide range of temporal patterns from strictly phasic to tonic and with clear differences in frequency responses.     

Acoustical and neural aspects of hearing in the Australian gleaning bats,Macroderma gigas andNyctophilus gouldi

1. The maximum acoustic gain of the external ear in Macroderma gigas was found to be 25-30 dB between 5-8 kHz and in Nyctophilus gouldi it reached 15-23 dB between 7-22 kHz. Pinna gain reached a peak of 16 dB near 4.5-6 kHz in M. gigas and 12-17 dB between 7-12 kHz in N. gouldi, with average gain of 6-10 dB up to 100 kHz. Pinna gain curves resemble that of a finite conical horn, including resonance. 2. The directional properties of the external ear in both species result from sound diffraction at the pinna face, as it approximates a circular aperture. The frequency dependent movement of the acoustic axis in azimuth and elevation is attributed to the asymmetrical structure of the pinnae. 3. Evoked potentials and neuronal responses were studied in the inferior colliculus. In M. gigas, the neural audiogram has sensitivity peaks at 10-20 kHz and 35-43 kHz, with extremely low thresholds (-18 dB SPL) in the low frequency region. In N. gouldi, the neural audiogram has sensitivity peaks at 8-14 kHz (lowest threshold 5 dB SPL) and 22-45 kHz. Removal of the contralateral pinna causes a frequency dependent loss in neural threshold sensitivity of up to 10-15 dB in both species. 4. The high frequency peak in the audiogram coincides with the sonar energy band in both species, whereas the low frequency region is used for social communication. Highly sensitive low frequency hearing is discussed in relation to hunting in bats by passive listening.     

Acoustic distortion products from the cochlea of the blind African mole rat, Cryptomys spec.

The measurement of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions is a noninvasive method that can be used for assessing the sensitivity and the frequency tuning of nonlinear cochlear mechanics. During stimulation with two pure tones f1 and f2, the acoustic 2f1-f2 distortion was recorded in the ear canal of Cryptomys spec. to study specializations in cochlear mechanics that could be associated with the presence of a frequency expanded cochlear region between 0.8–1 kHz. In addition, a distortion threshold curve was obtained which describes relative threshold of nonlinear cochlear mechanics. Sensitive distortion thresholds could be measured for stimulus frequencies between 0.4 to 18 kHz with a broad minimum between 0.75 to 2.5 kHz. The distortion threshold curve extends to higher frequencies than previous neuronal data indicated.As a measure of mechanical tuning sharpness in the cochlea, suppression tuning curves of 2f1-f2 were recorded. The tuning curves reflected the typical mammalian pattern with shallow low frequency and steep high frequency slopes. Their tuning sharpness was poor with Q10dB values between 0.3 and 1.88. In the range of the frequency expanded region, the Q10dB values were below 0.5. This finding emphasizes that the presence of frequency expansion does not necessarily lead to enhanced mechanical tuning in the cochlea and one has to consider if in certain bat species with cochlear frequency expansion and particularly sharp cochlear tuning, the two phenomena may not be interlinked.Abbreviations CF constant frequency component of echolocation call - STC suppression tuning curve