PMID: 8600136Sep 1, 1995Paper

Effects of middle ear pressure on frequency representation in the central auditory system

Hearing Research
D R MooreE W Rubel

Abstract

Changes in middle ear pressure (MEP) are known to produce an attenuation of sound transmission through the outer and middle ear, but the effects on frequency representation in the auditory system have not previously been studied. This issue is of particular interest because of changes in MEP occurring during episodes of otitis media. We have investigated the effect of changes in MEP on the tuning of neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) of the gerbil to calibrated tone stimulation of the contralateral, pressurized ear. Both negative and positive non-atmospheric MEP produced an elevation of neural thresholds that was inversely related to IC neuron best frequency (BF). A robust, linear relationship was found between BF at atmospheric MEP (control) and BF at -20 daPa MEP. Higher resolution analysis was performed on a sub-sample of neurons that had particularly stable BFs with repeated, control MEP. For the majority of these neurons, alternation of MEP between control and -20 daPa had no effect on BF. However, a few neurons showed small (up to 5%), significant shifts in BF with -20 daPa MEP. These results are consistent with previous reports of the effects of MEP on spontaneous otoacoustic emissions. We conclude that non-atmosphe...Continue Reading

References

May 1, 1991·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·R ProbstG K Martin
Jun 1, 1991·The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology·H TakahashiK Kurata
May 1, 1987·Experimental Neurology·J A Kaltenbach, J C Saunders
Oct 1, 1986·Archives of Otolaryngology--head & Neck Surgery·P R LambertE W Rubel
Sep 13, 1974·Brain Research·M M Merzenich, M D Reid
Sep 1, 1983·Hearing Research·E Schloth, E Zwicker
Aug 1, 1981·The Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders·P J Brandes, D M Ehinger
Oct 1, 1993·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·D M MillsE W Rubel

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 3, 2004·Journal of Neurophysiology·Martin Pienkowski, Robert V Harrison
Oct 10, 2003·Journal of Neurophysiology·Ben H BonhamChristoph E Schreiner
Jun 15, 2000·Anaesthesia and Intensive Care·D J FabijanG M Murray

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.