大鼠脑干听觉诱发电位和中潜伏期反应的生后发育

目的：探讨大鼠脑干听觉诱发电位（BAEP）和听觉中潜伏期反应(MLR)生后发育模式的异同。方法：在同一批新生SD纯种大鼠连续10周同时观察BAEP和MLR生后发育的变化。结果：BAEP和MLR分别在生后14d和17d出现;BAEP各波峰潜伏期（PL）随鼠龄增长而递减,生后3－4周是PL缩短的主要时期,I波PL在生后29d达成年值,其余各波PL在生后70d全部达成年值;首次出现的MLR,其Po和Na两波PL已达成年值,而Pa、Nb和Pb和PL也随鼠龄增长而缩短,但生后20－23d很快就达成年值;BAEP的Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ波和MLR的Nb、Pb波波幅在生后3－4周期间迅速递增,且峰值明显大于成年值,然后逐渐回降。结论：大鼠MLR和BAEP生后发育的模式基本相同,但MLR各波PL较早达成年值。     

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.     

Postnatal development of auditory central evoked responses and thalamic cellular properties

During development, the sense of hearing changes rapidly with age, especially around hearing onset. During this period, auditory structures are highly sensitive to alterations of the acoustic environment, such as hearing loss or background noise. This sensitivity includes auditory temporal processing, which is important for processing complex sounds, and for acquiring reading and language skills. Developmental changes can be observed at multiple levels of brain organization—from behavioral responses to cellular responses, and at every auditory nucleus. Neuronal properties and sound processing change dramatically in auditory cortex neurons after hearing onset. However, development of its primary source, the auditory thalamus, or medial geniculate body (MGB), has not been well studied over this critical time window. Furthermore, to understand how temporal processing develops, it is important to determine the relative maturation of temporal processing not only in the MGB, but also in its inputs. Cellular properties of rat MGB neurons were studied using in vitro whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings, at ages postnatal day (P) 7–9; P15–17, and P22–32. Auditory evoked potentials were measured in P14–17 and P22–32 rats. MGB action potentials became about five times faster, and the ability to generate spike trains increased with age, particularly at frequencies of 50 Hz and higher. Evoked potential responses, including auditory brainstem responses (ABR), middle latency responses (MLR), and amplitude modulation following responses, showed increased amplitudes with age, and ABRs and MLRs additionally showed decreased latencies with age. Overall, temporal processing at subthalamic nuclei is concurrently maturing with MGB cellular properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 541–555, 2014     

脑干听觉诱发电位与后循环TIA及脑干梗死的相关性研究

目的:研究脑干听觉诱发电位(BAEP)与后循环短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)及脑干梗死的相关性。方法:选取我院收治的后循环TIA患者46例作为TIA组,选取同期收治的脑干梗死患者44例作为脑干梗死组,选取同期健康体检者49例作为健康组,TIA组和脑干梗死组均在发病后1周内进行BAEP检查,健康体检者在体检时进行BAEP检查,比较3组的Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波的潜伏期(PL)及Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅲ-Ⅴ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波峰间的潜伏期(IPL)。结果:TIA组BAEP异常率71.74%,脑干梗死组BAEP异常率56.82%,健康组BAEP异常率24.49%,TIA组患者BAEP异常率高于健康组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。脑干梗死组BAEP异常率高于健康组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。TIA组患者PL的Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ水平均高于健康组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。TIA组患者IPL的Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅲ-Ⅴ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ水平均高于健康组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。脑干梗死组患者PL的Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ水平均高于健康组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。脑干梗死组患者IPL的Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅲ-Ⅴ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ水平均高于健康组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。脑干梗死组患者IPL与PL均明显高于TIA组(P0.05)。结论:BAEP与后循环TIA及脑干梗死存在相关性,并且较为敏感,是优秀的诊断方法之一。     

EphB2 regulates axonal growth at the midline in the developing auditory brainstem

Eph receptors play important roles in axon guidance at the midline. In the auditory system, growth of axons across the midline is an important determinant of auditory function. The avian cochlear nucleus, n. magnocellularis (NM), makes bilateral projections to its target, n. laminaris (NL). We examined the time course of NM axon growth toward the midline, the expression of Eph proteins at the midline during this growth, and the effects of Eph receptor misexpression on axonal growth across the midline. We found that NM axons reach the midline at E4. At this age, EphB receptors are expressed at the ventral floor plate. Expression extends dorsally to the ventricular zone beginning at E5. NM axons thus grow across the midline at a time when EphB receptor expression levels are low. Overexpression of EphB2 at E2 resulted in misrouted axons that deflected away from transfected midline cells. This effect was observed when midline cells were transfected but not when NM cells alone were transfected, suggesting that EphB2 acts non-cell autonomously and through reverse signaling. These data suggest an inhibitory role for midline Eph receptors, in which low levels permit axon growth and subsequently high levels prohibit growth after axons have crossed the midline.     

基于小波变换的婴儿痉挛症脑干听觉诱发电位复杂性分析

采用多尺度小波变换计算脑干听觉诱发电位近似熵的方法,对比婴儿痉挛症患儿与正常幼儿的近似熵值,按照脑干听觉诱发电位成份波对应的解剖位置,分段、分尺度计算并统计近似熵值,从神经信息传递角度探讨阻碍婴儿痉挛症患儿智能发育的原因。采集12例正常儿童和13例婴儿痉挛症患儿的脑干听觉诱发电位,将它们进行60尺度小波分解,分段、分尺度计算各尺度近似熵值。发现婴儿痉挛症组患儿脑干听觉诱发电位中代表脑干活动的3~7ms段的分尺度近似熵明显高于正常组(P<0.01),小尺度上表现尤为显著。结果表明婴儿痉挛症患儿脑干传导通路不畅通,其中的随机成份增多,阻碍信息在脑干的传递,进而影响患儿大脑皮层的发育。     

Characteristics of auditory brainstem responses in ground squirrels

Summary Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were characterized at 37 °C in ground squirrels (Citellus lateralis) which were implanted with recording screws to record ABRs, and a thermistor to record brain temperature. After two weeks ground squirrels were reanesthetized and tone pips and clicks were delivered through a TDH-49 headphone.Recorded ABRs were found to vary in a predictable manner as a function of stimulus frequency and intensity. At intensities above 50 dB SPL, ABRs could be recorded over the range tested (2–32 kHz). An 8 kHz tone pip was the best frequency for recording ABRs at the lowest stimulus intensities. Latencies decreased as stimulus frequencies increased from 4 kHz to 32 kHz.     

A comparative study of hearing ability in fishes: the auditory brainstem response approach

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) techniques, an electrophysiological far-field recording method widely used in clinical evaluation of human hearing, were adapted for fishes to overcome the major limitations of traditional behavioral and electrophysiological methods (e.g., invasive surgery, lengthy training of fishes, etc.) used for fish hearing research. Responses to clicks and tone bursts of different frequencies and amplitudes were recorded with cutaneous electrodes. To evaluate the effectiveness of this method, the auditory sensitivity of a hearing specialist (goldfish, Carassius auratus) and a hearing generalist (oscar, Astronotus ocellatus) was investigated and compared to audiograms obtained through psychophysical methods. The ABRs could be obtained between 100 Hz and 2000 Hz (oscar), and up to 5000 Hz (goldfish). The ABR audiograms are similar to those obtained by behavioral methods in both species. The ABR audiogram of curarized (i.e., Flaxedil-treated) goldfish did not differ significantly from two previously published behavioral curves but was lower than that obtained from uncurarized fish. In the oscar, ABR audiometry resulted in lower thresholds and a larger bandwidth than observed in behavioral tests. Comparison between methods revealed the advantages of this technique: rapid evaluation of hearing in untrained fishes, and no limitations on repeated testing of animals. Accepted: 8 August 1997     

高胆红素血症新生大鼠脑干听觉诱发电位快慢成分的变化

目的：探讨高胆红素血症新生大鼠脑干听觉诱发电位快成分（FC-BAEP）和慢成分（SC-BAEP）及脑干神经元线粒体超微结构的异常变化。方法：生后7天SD大鼠随机分为对照组（C组,17只）和两个实验组（T1和T2组,各17只）。T1和T2组大鼠生后7天和10天腹腔注射2g/L胆红素溶液,第二次腹腔注射6h后随机抽出7只断头取血用微量胆红素仪检测血清胆红素,其余大鼠生后17天和20天用诱发电位仪检测FC-BAEP和SC-BAEP,生后20天灌注固定、取耳蜗核进行透射电镜观察。结果：T1和T2组大鼠于生后10天腹腔注射6h后,血清胆红素浓度明显升高;T1和T2组大鼠生后17天三种刺激重复率（10/s,40/s,80/s）引导的FC-BAEP,除Ⅱ-Ⅳ波峰间潜伏期（IPL）外,各波波峰潜伏期（PL）和IPL显著延长,且T2组大鼠各波PL较T1组显著延长;T1和T2组大鼠生后20天三种刺激重复率引导的FC-BAEP,除刺激重复率10/s和40/s引导的Ⅱ-ⅣIPL外,各波PL和IPL显著延长;T1和T2组大鼠生后17天与20天刺激重复率10/s引导的SC-BAEP的PL显著延长,且T2组大鼠生后17天SC-BAEP的PL较T1组显著延长;T1和T2组大鼠耳蜗核电镜观察可见神经元线粒体肿胀变形、膜模糊不清和嵴断裂等。结论：高胆红素血症新生大鼠FC-BAEP和SC-BAEP及脑干神经元线粒体超微结构有显著异常变化,FC-BAEP与SC-BAEP的PL和IPL是早期监测胆红素诱发的听觉和脑损伤的客观灵敏指标。     

Physiology-based modeling of cortical auditory evoked potentials

Evoked potentials are the transient electrical responses caused by changes in the brain following stimuli. This work uses a physiology-based continuum model of neuronal activity in the human brain to calculate theoretical cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) from the model’s linearized response. These are fitted to experimental data, allowing the fitted parameters to be related to brain physiology. This approach yields excellent fits to CAEP data, which can then be compared to fits of EEG spectra. It is shown that the differences between resting eyes-open EEG and standard CAEPs can be explained by changes in the physiology of populations of neurons in corticothalamic pathways, with notable similarities to certain aspects of slow-wave sleep. This pilot study demonstrates the ability of our model-based fitting method to provide information on the underlying physiology of the brain that is not available using standard methods.     

Representation of complex vocalizations in the Lusitanian toadfish auditory system: evidence of fine temporal,frequency and amplitude discrimination

Many fishes rely on their auditory skills to interpret crucial information about predators and prey, and to communicate intraspecifically. Few studies, however, have examined how complex natural sounds are perceived in fishes. We investigated the representation of conspecific mating and agonistic calls in the auditory system of the Lusitanian toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus, and analysed auditory responses to heterospecific signals from ecologically relevant species: a sympatric vocal fish (meagre Argyrosomus regius) and a potential predator (dolphin Tursiops truncatus). Using auditory evoked potential (AEP) recordings, we showed that both sexes can resolve fine features of conspecific calls. The toadfish auditory system was most sensitive to frequencies well represented in the conspecific vocalizations (namely the mating boatwhistle), and revealed a fine representation of duration and pulsed structure of agonistic and mating calls. Stimuli and corresponding AEP amplitudes were highly correlated, indicating an accurate encoding of amplitude modulation. Moreover, Lusitanian toadfish were able to detect T. truncatus foraging sounds and A. regius calls, although at higher amplitudes. We provide strong evidence that the auditory system of a vocal fish, lacking accessory hearing structures, is capable of resolving fine features of complex vocalizations that are probably important for intraspecific communication and other relevant stimuli from the auditory scene.     

Seasonal variation in avian auditory evoked responses to tones: a comparative analysis of Carolina chickadees,tufted titmice,and white-breasted nuthatches

We tested for seasonal plasticity of the peripheral auditory system of three North American members of the Sylvioidea: Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis), tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor), and white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis). We measured three classes of auditory evoked responses (AER) to tone stimuli: sustained receptor/neural responses to pure-tone condensation waveforms, the frequency-following response (FFR), and the earliest peak of the AER to stimulus onset (tone onset response). Seasonal changes were detected in all classes of AERs in chickadees and nuthatches. Seasonal changes in titmice were restricted to the tone onset response. Interestingly, changes detected in chickadees (and to a lesser extent in titmice) were generally in an opposite direction to changes seen in nuthatches, with chickadees exhibiting greater amplitude AER responses in the spring than in winter, and nuthatches exhibiting greater amplitude AER responses in winter than in spring. In addition, the seasonal differences in the sustained responses tended to be broad-band in the chickadees but restricted to a narrower frequency range in nuthatches. In contrast, seasonal differences in the onset response were over a broader frequency range in titmice than in chickadees and nuthatches. We discuss some possible mechanistic and functional explanations for these seasonal changes.     

Development of adventive embryos in cauline leaves of Sargassum macrocarpum (Fucales, Phaeophyta)

Spontaneous formation and development of adventive embryos were observed in cauline leaves of Sargassum macrocarpum in laboratory culture. Semi-spherical swellings, which were 200–250 μm in diameter, arose from the surface of cauline leaves of thalli cultured for 4 months from zygotic embryos. Swellings became cylindrical protuberances and grew into ‘daughter’ thalli with one or two small cauline leaves. These thalli detached from ‘mother’ thalli and attached to the surface of culture vessels by rhizoids produced within 1 week after detachment. Each daughter thallus developed into an individual thallus exhibiting the same morphological processes as zygotic embryos.     

Correlation between auditory sensitivity and vocalization in anabantoid fishes

Several anabantoid species produce broad-band sounds with high-pitched dominant frequencies (0.8–2.5 kHz), which contrast with generally low-frequency hearing abilities in (perciform) fishes. Utilizing a recently developed auditory brainstem response recording-technique, auditory sensitivities of the gouramis Trichopsis vittata, T. pumila, Colisa lalia, Macropodus opercularis and Trichogaster trichopterus were investigated and compared with the sound characteristics of the respective species. All five species exhibited enhanced sound-detecting abilities and perceived tone bursts up to 5 kHz, which qualifies this group as hearing specialists. All fishes possessed a high-frequency sensitivity maximum between 800 Hz and 1500 Hz. Lowest hearing thresholds were found in T. trichopterus (76 dB re 1 μPa at 800 Hz). Dominant frequencies of sounds correspond with the best hearing bandwidth in T. vittata (1–2 kHz) and C. lalia (0.8–1 kHz). In the smallest species, T. pumila, dominant frequencies of acoustic signals (1.5–2.5 kHz) do not match lowest thresholds, which were below 1.5 kHz. However, of all species studied, T. pumila had best hearing sensitivity at frequencies above 2 kHz. The association between high-pitched sounds and hearing may be caused by the suprabranchial air-breathing chamber, which, lying close to the hearing and sonic organs, enhances both sound perception and emission at its resonant frequency. Accepted: 26 November 1997     

促红细胞生成素对脑损伤早产儿NBNA评分、肝肾功能以及脑干听觉诱发电位的影响

目的:探讨促红细胞生成素(EPO)对脑损伤早产儿新生儿神经行为测定(NBNA)评分、肝肾功能以及脑干听觉诱发电位的影响。方法:选取2015年2月~2018年7月期间我院收治的脑损伤早产儿117例,将上述研究对象根据随机数字表法将其分为对照组(n=58)和观察组(n=59),对照组患儿给予常规对症治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上联合EPO治疗,比较两组NBNA评分、肝肾功能以及脑干听觉诱发电位,记录两组患儿治疗期间并发症发生情况。结果:观察组纠正胎龄40周时NBNA评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组患儿治疗后峰间期(Ⅰ~Ⅲ波、Ⅲ~Ⅳ波、Ⅰ~Ⅳ波)、潜伏期(Ⅰ波、Ⅲ波、Ⅳ波)均较治疗前降低,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组患儿治疗前、后尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr)、血清谷丙转氨酶(SGPT)、总胆红素(TBIL)比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组患儿动脉导管未闭、新生儿败血症发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而观察组支气管肺发育不良、颅内出血、脑干听觉诱发电位异常等发生率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:EPO对脑损伤早产儿具有一定的神经保护作用,能够有效保护受损神经细胞与听觉神经通路,降低脑损伤并发症的发生率,且不影响患儿的肝肾功能。     

A songbird forebrain area potentially involved in auditory discrimination and memory formation

Songbirds rely on auditory processing of natural communication signals for a number of social behaviors,including mate selection,individual recognition and the rare behavior of vocal learning - the ability to learn vocalizations through imitation of an adult model,rather than by instinct.Like mammals,songbirds possess a set of interconnected ascending and descending auditory brain pathways that process acoustic information and that are presumably involved in the perceptual processing of vocal communication signals.Most auditory areas studied to date are located in the caudomedial forebrain of the songbird and include the thalamo-recipient field L (sub fields L1,L2 and L3),the caudomedial and caudolateral mesopallium (CMM and CLM,respectively) and the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM). This review focuses on NCM,an auditory area previously proposed to be analogous to parts of the primary auditory cortex in mammals.Stimulation of songbirds with auditory stimuli drives vigorous electrophysiological responses and the expression of several activity-regulated genes in NCM.Interestingly,NCM neurons are tuned to species-specific songs and undergo some forms of experience-dependent plasticity in-vivo .These activity-dependent changes may underlie long-term modifications in the functional performance of NCM and constitute a potential neural substrate for auditory discrimination.We end this review by discussing evidence that suggests that NCM may be a site of auditory memory formation and/or storage.     

Development of xenopus laevis embryos in a static magnetic field

Xenopus laevis embryos were exposed to a DC magnetic field (2.5 kG) for periods up to 1 week. The previously reported stabilization of cell membranes by stationary magnetic fields could not be demonstrated.     

Evoked potential audiometry of 13 Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus gilli)

Evoked potential audiograms were measured in 13 Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus gilli) to determine the variability in hearing sensitivity and range of hearing. The auditory evoked potential system used a transducer embedded in a suction cup to deliver sinusoidal amplitude modulated tones to each dolphin through the pan region of the lower right jaw. Evoked potentials were recorded noninvasively using surface electrodes, and hearing thresholds were estimated by tracking the amplitude of the envelope following response, an evoked potential that is phase‐locked to the stimulus modulation rate. Frequencies tested ranged from 10 to 180 kHz in each animal. Variability in the range of hearing and age‐related reductions in hearing sensitivity and range of hearing were consistent with those observed in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Comparison of audiograms to a captive population of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins demonstrated that the Pacific bottlenose dolphins tested in this study had significantly lower thresholds at frequencies of 40 and 60–115 kHz. Differences in thresholds between the groups are unlikely to be due to methodological factors.     

Sexual differences in auditory sensitivity: mismatch of hearing threshold and call frequency in a tettigoniid (orthoptera,tettigoniidae: Zaprochilinae)

Summary Sexual dimorphism of the ear of an undescribed species of zaprochiline tettigoniid is described. The internal trachea, dedicated to hearing in other tettigoniids, is unmodified in the male but fully developed in the female. The external auditory spiracle is also lost in the male. In contrast, there is no difference between the sexes in the number of sensilla within the hearing organ. The male is 10 dB less sensitive than the female. The characteristic frequency of the hearing organ at 35 kHz does not match the carrier frequency of the male's call at 51 kHz. As a result of this mismatch the female is remarkably insensitive to the male's call (threshold at 75 dB SPL), and the male is even less sensitive (thresholds80 dB SPL). In nature this provides a maximum hearing range of the male of less than 50 cm.     

Metabolic response to cooling temperatures in chicken embryos and hatchlings after cold incubation

We asked to what extent cold exposure during embryonic growth, and the accompanying hypometabolism, may interfere with the normal development of thermogenesis. White Leghorn chicken eggs were incubated in control conditions (38 degrees C) or at 36 or 35 degrees C. Embryos incubated at a lower temperature (34 degrees C) failed to hatch. The cold-incubated embryos had lower oxygen consumption (VO2) and body weight (W) throughout incubation, and hatching was delayed by about, respectively, 1 and 2 days. The W-VO2 relationship of the cold-incubated embryos was as in controls, indicating that cold-induced hypometabolism was at the expense of the growth, not the maintenance, component of VO2. At embryonic day E11, the metabolic response to changes in ambient temperature (T) over the 30-39 degrees C range was typically poikilothermic, with Q10 = 1.8-1.9, and similar among all sets of embryos. Toward the end of incubation (E20), the thermogenic responses of the cold-incubated embryos were significantly lower than in controls. This difference occurred also in the few-hour old hatchlings (H1), even though, at this time, W was similar among groups. Exposure to cold during only the last 3 days of incubation (from E18 to H1), i.e. during the developmental onset of the endothermic mechanisms, did not lower the thermogenic capacity of the hatchlings. In conclusion, sustained cold-induced hypometabolism throughout incubation blunted the rate of embryonic growth and the development of thermogenesis. This latter phenomenon could be an example of epigenetic regulation, i.e. of environmental factors exerting a long-term effect on gene expression.