白噪声对听觉脑干电反应(ABR)和耳蜗电图(ECochG)的影响

本文通过20例听力正常人和10例听力正常豚鼠研究了白噪声对耳蜗电图(ECochG)和听觉脑干电反应(ABR)的干涉作用。实验结果表明,白噪声比短声(信号)的声强级低30dB(SL)以上时,ECochG和ABR的振幅仅轻微减小。白噪声与短声的声强级相等时,ECochG与ABR的振幅和出现率会明显受到干涉而减小,甚至完全消失。但是,此时的耳蜗微音器电位(CM)并未观察到有明显的变化。这意味着白噪声对ECochG和ABR的干涉作用主要与围绕毛细胞基底部的突触产生的抑制密切相关。由于白噪声对ABR各波的干涉有些差异,所以认为这种抑制,可能既包括脑中抑制也包括侧方抑制。     

Aroclor 1254 impairs the hearing ability of Xenopus laevis

In this study we assessed the effects of chronic, dietary exposure of Aroclor 1254 (A1254) on the hearing of Xenopus frogs. We used the auditory brainstem response (ABR) to assay changes in hearing physiology; ABR thresholds, as well as latency-intensity and amplitude-intensity profiles of the initial positive (P1) and negative (N1) peaks were measured. Two groups of animals that received 50 ppm and 100 ppm of A1254 in their diet from 5 days post-fertilization through metamorphosis were compared to a control group that received untreated chow. The results showed significant threshold elevations in the 3–4 kHz range and significantly delayed peak latencies and reduced amplitudes at these frequencies in A1254 treated animals as compared to control animals. These findings indicate that A1254 selectively damages the high-frequency sensorineural hearing system associated with the basilar papilla of frogs. This preferential damage may be related to inherent differences in the vulnerability of the basilar versus amphibian papilla in the frog. The overall results of this study are also consistent with the reported A1254-induced auditory deficits in mammals indicating that the basilar papilla of the Xenopus frog may serve as an effective model for studying the effects of A1254 on the auditory system.     

Noise-Induced Inner Hair Cell Ribbon Loss Disturbs Central Arc Mobilization: A Novel Molecular Paradigm for Understanding Tinnitus

Increasing evidence shows that hearing loss is a risk factor for tinnitus and hyperacusis. Although both often coincide, a causal relationship between tinnitus and hyperacusis has not been shown. Currently, tinnitus and hyperacusis are assumed to be caused by elevated responsiveness in subcortical circuits. We examined both the impact of different degrees of cochlear damage and the influence of stress priming on tinnitus induction. We used (1) a behavioral animal model for tinnitus designed to minimize stress, (2) ribbon synapses in inner hair cells (IHCs) as a measure for deafferentation, (3) the integrity of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) to detect differences in stimulus-evoked neuronal activity, (4) the expression of the activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein, Arc, to identify long-lasting changes in network activity within the basolateral amygdala (BLA), hippocampal CA1, and auditory cortex (AC), and (5) stress priming to investigate the influence of corticosteroid on trauma-induced brain responses. We observed that IHC ribbon loss (deafferentation) leads to tinnitus when ABR functions remain reduced and Arc is not mobilized in the hippocampal CA1 and AC. If, however, ABR waves are functionally restored and Arc is mobilized, tinnitus does not occur. Both central response patterns were found to be independent of a profound threshold loss and could be shifted by the corticosterone level at the time of trauma. We, therefore, discuss the findings in the context of a history of stress that can trigger either an adaptive or nonadaptive brain response following injury.     

Arterial baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity in the transition from rest to steady-state dynamic exercise in humans

We sought to investigate arterial baroreflex (ABR) control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in the transition from rest to steady-state dynamic exercise. This was accomplished by assessing the relationship between spontaneous variations in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and MSNA at rest and during the time course of reaching steady-state arm cycling at 50% peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)). Specifically, DBP-MSNA relations were examined in eight subjects (25 +/- 1 yr) at the start of unloaded arm cycling and then during the initial and a later period of arm cycling once the 50% VO(2peak) work rate was achieved. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were progressively increased throughout exercise. Although resting MSNA [16 +/- 2 burst/min; 181 +/- 36 arbitrary units (au) total activity] was unchanged during unloaded cycling, MSNA burst frequency and total activity were significantly elevated during the initial (27 +/- 4 burst/min; 367 +/- 76 au; P < 0.05) and later (36 +/- 7 burst/min; 444 +/- 91 au; P < 0.05) periods of exercise. The relationships between DBP and burst incidence, burst strength, and total MSNA were progressively shifted rightward from unloaded to the initial to the later period of 50% VO(2peak) arm cycling without any changes in the slopes of the linear regressions (i.e., ABR sensitivity). Thus a continuous and dynamic resetting of the ABR control of MSNA occurred during the transition from rest to steady-state dynamic exercise. These findings indicate that the ABR control of MSNA was well maintained throughout dynamic exercise in humans, progressively being reset to operate around the exercise-induced elevations in blood pressure and MSNA without any changes in reflex sensitivity.     

The modulation rate transfer function of a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

During echolocation, toothed whales produce ultrasonic clicks at extremely rapid rates and listen for the returning echoes. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) duration was evaluated in terms of latency between single peaks: 5.5 ms (from peak I to VII), 3.4 ms (I–VI), and 1.4 ms (II–IV). In comparison to the killer whale and the bottlenose dolphin, the ABR of the harbour porpoise has shorter intervals between the peaks and consequently a shorter ABR duration. This indicates that the ABR duration and peak latencies are possibly related to the relative size of the auditory structures of the central nervous system and thus to the animal’s size. The ABR to a sinusoidal amplitude modulated stimulus at 125 kHz (sensitivity threshold 63 dB re 1 μPa rms) was evaluated to determine the modulation rate transfer function of a harbour porpoise. The ABR showed distinct envelope following responses up to a modulation rate of 1,900 Hz. The corresponding calculated equivalent rectangular duration of 263 μs indicates a good temporal resolution in the harbour porpoise auditory system similar to the one for the bottlenose dolphin. The results explain how the harbour porpoise can follow clicks and echoes during echolocation with very short inter click intervals.     

TEMPORARY THRESHOLD SHIFTS AFTER NOISE EXPOSURE IN THE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) MEASURED USING EVOKED AUDITORY POTENTIALS

The time course of recovery from temporary threshold shift (TTS) was measured in a bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus , using an evoked-potential procedure. The envelope-following response (EFR), which is a rhythmic train of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) to sinusoidally amplitude-modulated tones, was used as an indicator of the sound reception by the animal. Variation of the intensity of the stimulus allowed us to measure the animal's hearing via EFR thresholds. During each session, following an initial measure of threshold, the trained animal voluntary positioned itself within a hoop 1 m underwater while a 160 dB re 1 μPa noise of a 4–11 kHz bandwidth was presented for 30 min. After the noise exposure, thresholds were measured again at delays of 5, 10, 15, 25, 45, and 105 min. Measurements were made at test frequencies of 8, 11.2, 16, 22.5, and 32 kHz. The maximum TTS occurred 5 min after exposure and rapidly recovered with a rate of around 1.5 dB per doubling of time. TTS occurred at test frequencies from 8 to 16 kHz, with the maximum at 16 kHz. TTS was negligible at 22.5 kHz and absent at 32 kHz.     

Hidden hearing loss is associated with loss of ribbon synapses of cochlea inner hair cells

The present study aimed to observe the changes in the cochlea ribbon synapses after repeated exposure to moderate-to-high intensity noise. Guinea pigs received 95 dB SPL white noise exposure 4 h a day for consecutive 7 days (we regarded it a medium-term and moderate-intensity noise, or MTMI noise). Animals were divided into four groups: Control, 1DPN (1-day post noise), 1WPN (1-week post noise), and 1MPN (1-month post noise). Auditory function analysis by auditory brainstem response (ABR) and compound action potential (CAP) recordings, as well as ribbon synapse morphological analyses by immunohistochemistry (Ctbp2 and PSD95 staining) were performed 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after noise exposure. After MTMI noise exposure, the amplitudes of ABR I and III waves were suppressed. The CAP threshold was elevated, and CAP amplitude was reduced in the 1DPN group. No apparent changes in hair cell shape, arrangement, or number were observed, but the number of ribbon synapse was reduced. The 1WPN and 1MPN groups showed that part of ABR and CAP changes recovered, as well as the synapse number. The defects in cochlea auditory function and synapse changes were observed mainly in the high-frequency region. Together, repeated exposure in MTMI noise can cause hidden hearing loss (HHL), which is partially reversible after leaving the noise environment; and MTMI noise-induced HHL is associated with inner hair cell ribbon synapses.     

Hormone replacement therapy attenuates hearing loss: Mechanisms involving estrogen and the IGF‐1 pathway

Estradiol (E) is a multitasking hormone that plays a prominent role in the reproductive system, and also contributes to physiological and growth mechanisms throughout the body. Frisina and colleagues have previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of this hormone, with E‐treated subjects maintaining low auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds relative to control subjects (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2006;103:14246; Hearing Research, 2009;252:29). In the present study, we evaluated the functionality of the peripheral and central auditory systems in female CBA/CaJ middle‐aged mice during and after long‐term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) via electrophysiological and molecular techniques. Surprisingly, there are very few investigations about the side effects of HRT in the auditory system after it has been discontinued. Our results show that the long‐term effects of HRT are permanent on ABR thresholds and ABR gap‐in‐noise (GIN) amplitude levels. E‐treated animals had lower thresholds and higher amplitude values compared to other hormone treatment subject groups. Interestingly, progesterone (P)‐treated animals had ABR thresholds that increased but amplitude levels that remained relatively the same throughout treatment. These results were consistent with qPCR experiments that displayed high levels of IGF‐1R in the stria vascularis (SV) of both E and P animal groups compared to combination treatment (E + P) animals. IGF‐1R plays a vital role in mediating anti‐apoptotic responses via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Overall, our findings gain insights into the neuro‐protective properties of E hormone treatments as well as expand the scientific knowledge base to help women decide whether HRT is the right choice for them.     

脑干缺血对听觉脑干反应影响的实验研究

目的 :探讨脑干缺血模型ABR变化特点及其在脑缺血早期诊断中的应用价值。方法 :阻断猫基底动脉不同部位血流 ,观察记录阻断血流后不同时间ABR变化特点及其规律。结果 :①夹闭基底动脉上、下段或小脑下前动脉 10min左右 ,ABRP3 ,P4振幅明显减小 (P <0 .0 1,P <0 .0 5 ) ,60min恢复夹前水平 ;②夹闭基底动脉上段 10～60minP5明显减小 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,直到 12 0min尚未恢复至夹前状态。结论 :①猫的ABRP3脑区的血供主要来自小脑下前动脉 ,P1,P2产生部位基本不依赖基底动脉供血 ;②轻度暂短性脑缺血时ABR振幅比潜伏期更敏感 ,振幅减小的程度与脑干缺血的程度密切相关 ;③ABR可用于脑缺血定位诊断及脑功能动态观察的电生理检测。     

Modification of precocious evoked auditory potential amplitudes observed in tinnitus]

Brainstem evoked response audiometry has been performed in 139 patients complaining of tinnitus, unilateral or bilateral. Amplitudes of I, III, V waves and the amplitude relations I/III, I/V, III/V have been compared with those obtained in a normal population (n = 20). Amplitudes of waves I and III decreased according to their localization: decrease of left I and III for left tinnitus, decrease of left I and right III for right tinnitus, and for I and III both left and right for bilateral tinnitus. Recording of brainstem evoked response before any therapeutical treatment, especially study of amplitudes, could therefore provide information an localization of tinnitus.     

Deletion of Fmr1 Alters Function and Synaptic Inputs in the Auditory Brainstem

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), a neurodevelopmental disorder, is the most prevalent single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder. Autism has been associated with impaired auditory processing, abnormalities in the auditory brainstem response (ABR), and reduced cell number and size in the auditory brainstem nuclei. FXS is characterized by elevated cortical responses to sound stimuli, with some evidence for aberrant ABRs. Here, we assessed ABRs and auditory brainstem anatomy in Fmr1^-/- mice, an animal model of FXS. We found that Fmr1^-/- mice showed elevated response thresholds to both click and tone stimuli. Amplitudes of ABR responses were reduced in Fmr1^-/- mice for early peaks of the ABR. The growth of the peak I response with sound intensity was less steep in mutants that in wild type mice. In contrast, amplitudes and response growth in peaks IV and V did not differ between these groups. We did not observe differences in peak latencies or in interpeak latencies. Cell size was reduced in Fmr1^-/- mice in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). We quantified levels of inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs in these nuclei using markers for presynaptic proteins. We measured VGAT and VGLUT immunolabeling in VCN, MNTB, and the lateral superior olive (LSO). VGAT expression in MNTB was significantly greater in the Fmr1^-/- mouse than in wild type mice. Together, these observations demonstrate that FXS affects peripheral and central aspects of hearing and alters the balance of excitation and inhibition in the auditory brainstem.     

Cortical Habituation Deficit in Tinnitus Sufferers: Contingent Negative Variation as an Indicator of Duration of the Disease

Cortical attention and habituation parameters are altered in patients suffering from tinnitus. The aim of the study was to quantify cortical attention and habituation parameters in tinnitus patients by recording the contingent negative variation (CNV) response and to correlate amplitudes of different CNV parameters with duration of disease. Twenty patients suffering from tinnitus (median: 44?years) and twenty age- and sex-matched healthy controls (median: 41?years) were tested by a CNV paradigm. We recorded overall CNV, initial CNV, and terminal CNV and calculated habituation slopes. All CNV parameters were Spearman-correlated with individual duration of disease. Highly significant between groups differences emerged in total (tinnitus: -8.4?uV vs. controls: -3.8?uV), initial (-11.2 vs. -6.0?uV), and terminal CNV (-11.9 vs. -6.5?uV) demonstrating higher negative amplitudes in tinnitus patients. Habituation differed in total and terminal CNV, indicating missing habituation in tinnitus patients. Overall CNV (??=?-.365) and initial CNV (??=?-.529) showed a medium Spearman correlation with duration of disease. We conclude that the correlation between duration of tinnitus and the initial CNV amplitudes indicates an altered state of cortical excitability that can also be observed in more negative CNV-amplitudes in tinnitus patients. We assume that this state indicates a chronicity process in tinnitus disease.     

ABR frequency tuning curves in dolphins

Tone-tone masking was used to determine auditory brain-stem response tuning curves in dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in a simultaneous-masking paradigm. The Q ₁₀ of the curves was as large as 16–19 in the frequency range 64–128 kHz. In the range 45–16 kHz, Q ₁₀ decreased proportionally to the frequency with the bandwidth of the curves being constant, about 3.5–4 kHz at the 10-dB level. Tuning curves below 45 kHz are supposed to reflect broad spectral bandwidth of the probe's effective part which is no longer than 0.5 ms, irrespective of actual probe duration. Tuning curves above 64 kHz are supposed to reflect the real frequency tuning of the dolphin's auditory system.Abbreviations ABR auditory brain stem response - AP action potential     

谷氨酸受体在噪声所致豚鼠螺旋神经节细胞损伤中的作用

本文旨在研究谷氨酸及其受体在噪声致豚鼠螺旋神经节细胞损伤中的作用。实验分为在体和离体两部分。（1）在体实验：豚鼠分为生理盐水（NS,10μL）组,NS（10μL）＋噪声组和犬尿喹啉酸（kynurenic acid,KYNA,5mmol／L,10μL）＋噪声组,每组15只。用微量注射器经完整圆窗膜表面给予NS或KYNA：暴露于白噪声110dBSPL,1h。在圆窗给药前及噪声暴露后测试听觉脑干诱发电位（auditory brainstem response,ABR）阈值及Ⅲ波幅值,听神经复合动作电位（compound action potential,CAP）阈值及N1波幅值和潜伏期,测试后取基底膜进行透射电镜观察。（2）离体实验：观察高浓度谷氨酸对急性分离的豚鼠螺旋神经节细胞的影响。结果显示,NS＋噪声组豚鼠ABR及CAP阈移显著高于KYNA＋噪声组,且Ⅲ波和NI波幅值明显降低,潜伏期明显延长。NS＋噪声组豚鼠毛细胞及传入神经末梢急性水肿和线粒体结构破坏：KYNA＋噪声组豚鼠的毛细胞和传入神经末梢无明显变化。离体胞外施加谷氨酸可引起螺旋神经节细胞逐渐出现水肿、变性,最后死亡。本实验提示,噪声暴露可引起豚鼠听功能损伤,毛细胞／传入神经突触的结构破坏和螺旋神经节细胞变性、死亡：这种损伤可能与噪声暴露引起谷氨酸的过度释放有关;谷氨酸通过其受体介导致使螺旋神经节细胞损伤,谷氨酸受体的广谱拮抗剂KYNA可减轻噪声对螺旋神经节细胞的损伤。     

Dietary vitamin E protects the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, against noise exposure

The fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) was employed to examine if dietary vitamin E supplementation could protect the inner ear from the deleterious effects of noise. Fish were fed one of the three experimental diets containing either: (1) low vitamin E content (14.5 mg/kg diet as alpha-tocopheryl acetate), (2) an adequate amount of vitamin E (50 mg/kg), or (3) high vitamin E content (450 mg/kg). After 4 weeks on the diet, fish were exposed to either 2 or 24 h of intense white noise (142 dB re: 1 microPa, bandwidth 0.3-4.0 kHz). Auditory thresholds were measured, using the auditory brainstem response (ABR) technique, within 0.5 days following noise exposure or within a recovery period of 1.5 days. Additionally, liver samples were analyzed for vitamin E content. Increased vitamin E supplementation was dose-dependently associated with a reduction in statistically significant threshold shifts after noise exposure and an enhancement of recovery (i.e., more complete recovery over a shorter period) for fish exposed to either 2 or 24 h of noise. The results obtained suggest that dietary vitamin E affords protection against noise exposure in a cyprinid fish.     

No effects of mobile phone electromagnetic field on auditory brainstem response

The present study investigated the possible effects of the electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by an ordinary GSM mobile phone (902.4 MHz pulsed at 217 Hz) on brainstem auditory processing. Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were recorded in 17 healthy young adults, without a mobile phone at baseline, and then with a mobile phone on the ear under EMF‐off and EMF‐on conditions. The amplitudes, latencies, and interwave intervals of the main ABR components (waves I, III, V) were compared among the three conditions. ABR waveforms showed no significant differences due to exposure, suggesting that short‐term exposure to mobile phone EMF did not affect the transmission of sensory stimuli from the cochlea up to the midbrain along the auditory nerve and brainstem auditory pathways. Bioelectromagnetics 31:48–55, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Cognitive auditory evoked potentials in children with special language impairment

Perception and discrimination of auditory and speech stimuli in children aged 7-9 years with either receptive (n=6) or expressive (n=5) type of special language impairment and 7 healthy age-matched controls was investigated using evoked potential technique. The measurements were performed with a 32-channel Neuroscan electroencephalographic system. Two types of stimuli were applied, pure tones (1 kHz and 2 kHz) and double syllabi consisting of one consonant and one vocal characteristic of Croatian language. The stimuli were presented in an oddball paradigm, requiring a conscious reaction for the subjects. Latencies and amplitudes of P1, N1, P2, N2, P3, N4, and SW waves were analized, as well as the reaction time and number of responses. There were found no statistically significant difference between children with special language impairment and the control group in average response time and number of responses to tone burst or double syllable. Analysis of variance of all used variables showed a statistically significant difference in P3 and Sw wave latencies after double syllable stimulation, P3 and N4 waves latencies after target stimulation, P2 and Sw wave amplitude; and in N1 wave amplitude after pure tone stimulation. Our study showed that children with speech and language disorder take longer time to perceive and discriminate between either tonal or speech auditory stimuli than children with typical speech and language development.     

Reduced acoustic startle response and peripheral hearing loss in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Hearing dysfunction has been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in humans, but there is little data on the auditory function of mouse models of AD. Furthermore, characterization of hearing ability in mouse models is needed to ensure that tests of cognition that use auditory stimuli are not confounded by hearing dysfunction. Therefore, we assessed acoustic startle response and pre‐pulse inhibition in the double transgenic 5xFAD mouse model of AD from 3–4 to 16 months of age. The 5xFAD mice showed an age‐related decline in acoustic startle as early as 3–4 months of age. We subsequently tested auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds at 4 and 13–14 months of age using tone bursts at frequencies of 2–32 kHz. The 5xFAD mice showed increased ABR thresholds for tone bursts between 8 and 32 kHz at 13–14 months of age. Finally, cochleae were extracted and basilar membranes were dissected to count hair cell loss across the cochlea. The 5xFAD mice showed significantly greater loss of both inner and outer hair cells at the apical and basal ends of the basilar membrane than wild‐type mice at 15–16 months of age. These results indicate that the 5xFAD mouse model of AD shows age‐related decreases in acoustic startle responses, which are at least partially due to age‐related peripheral hearing loss. Therefore, we caution against the use of cognitive tests that rely on audition in 5xFAD mice over 3–4 months of age, without first confirming that performance is not confounded by hearing dysfunction.     

Effects of Boat Engine Noise on the Auditory Sensitivity of the Fathead Minnow, Pimephales promelas

Fishes are constantly exposed to various sources of noise in their underwater acoustic environment. Many of these sounds are from anthropogenic sources, especially engines of boats. Noise generated from a small boat with a 55 horsepower outboard motor was played back to fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, for 2 h at 142 dB (re: 1 Pa), and auditory thresholds were measured using the auditory brainstem response (ABR) technique. The results demonstrate that boat engine noise significantly elevate a fish's auditory threshold at 1 kHz (7.8 dB), 1.5 kHz (13.5 dB), and 2.0 kHz (10.5 dB), the most sensitive hearing range of this species. Such a short duration of noise exposure leads to significant changes in hearing capability, and implies that man-made noise generated from boat engines can have far reaching environmental impacts on fishes.