NEURAL MECHANISMS OF HEARING AND BALANCE

该项目的目标是研究神经和细胞基础， 鱼体内的谷胱甘肽功能，因为它们与平衡有关， 听证会 蟾鱼，Opsanus tau将提供一个模型系统。 我们将使用 视频显微镜和图像分析技术来研究杯状结构 和微观力学对足够刺激的反应， 杯状体对传入反应的形成可能有贡献， 将模拟蟾鱼的杯内淋巴系统。 我们将研究 毛细胞中对静纤毛运动反应的受体电流 位于脊的中心和外围。 传出效应 还将记录位于中心和外周的毛细胞。 我们计划对囊状和椭圆囊功能进行平行研究。 的 对蟾鱼脑干和迷路的研究相对较好。 在鱼类中， 声音由一个或多个耳石器官的毛细胞传导 作为听觉接收器， 频谱 我们将采用半圆形发展的技术 运河研究，以调查鱼类的听觉器官。 这些包括 慢性和急性记录和形态生理学研究的中央 和初级传入神经的外周投射。 我们将评估 球囊和椭圆囊在声音接收中的作用， 声音刺激时的传入。 假设的中央投影 声音接收器官，主要是球囊和椭圆囊， 前八核，相对来说， 输入. 我们将继续进行形态学研究， 前庭脑干区 的中心和外围形态 将研究单个传入，以确定是否存在特定的 处理声音与前庭感觉的受体器官区域， 来确定大脑中处理声音的可能的共同区域。

The goals of this project are to study the neural and cellular bases of labyrinthine function in the fish as they relate to equilibrium and hearing. Toadfish, Opsanus tau will provide a model system. We will use video microscopy and image analysis techniques to study cupular mechanics and micromechanics in response to adequate stimulation to evaluate possible cupular contributions to the shaping of afferent responses and will model the actual cupula-endolymph system of toadfish. We will study receptor currents in response to stereociliary movement in hair cells located in the center and periphery of the crista. Efferent effects upon centrally and peripherally located hair cells will also be documented. We plan parallel studies of saccular and utricular function. The brainstem and labyrinth of toadfish ar relatively well studied. In fish, sound is transduced by hair cells of one or more of the otolithic organs that act as auditory receivers to operate within the appropriate frequency spectrum. We will employ techniques developed in semicircular canal studies to investigate the hearing organs of fish. These include chronic and acute recording and morphophysiological studies of central and peripheral projections of primary afferent. We will assess the role of the saccule and utricle in sound reception by recording from their afferent during sound stimuli. The central projections of the putative sound receiving organs, primarily the saccule and utricle, occupy areas of the anterior octavus nucleus that is relatively free of vestibular input. We will continue morphological studies to delineate auditory from vestibular brainstem areas. The central and peripheral morphology of single afferent will be studied to determine if there are specific receptor organ regions that process sound versus vestibular sensation and to specify possible common areas of the brain that process sound.