TRANSMISSION AT THE INNER HAIR CELL AFFERENT SYNAPSE

这是一个多学科的研究之间的突触传递 哺乳动物耳蜗内毛细胞（IHC）和桡神经传入 螺旋神经节的神经元 它的目的是描述第一个 时间通过IHC的递质的量子释放，以检查的作用， 钙在介导递质释放和启动 突触后的动作电位。 的另一组件 研究将是确定突触传递的形态学相关性 在不同发射器释放速率的条件下， 在IHC掺入示踪辣根过氧化物酶后， (HRP)在超微结构水平。 神经突触的生理机能 通过从其附近的径向传入的细胞内记录来评估 与OHC的突触接触点，并通过记录单个 外淋巴同时灌注时的耳蜗神经传入 含有改变的二价阳离子含量的溶液的空间。 的 供应桡动脉传入纤维的活动区的数量和超微结构将 通过连续重建它们在毛细胞上的末端来评估 高压电子显微镜（HVEM） 长期目标是 开发一个基于物理的感觉突触模型。 该研究 公共卫生的影响，因为它将开辟道路，研究 药物和疾病的机制，可能会特别影响突触。

This is a multidisciplinary study of synaptic transmission between the inner hair cells (IHC) of the mammalian cochlea and the radial afferent neurons of the spiral ganglion. Its purpose is to describe for the first time the quantal release of transmitter by IHCs, to examine the role of calcium in mediating transmitter release and the initiation of postsynaptic action potentials in this system. Another component of the study will be to identify morphological correlates of synaptic transmission by the IHCs under conditions of varying rates of transmitter release by following the incorporation by IHCs of the tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at the ultrastructural level. The physiology of the synapse will be assessed by intracellular recording from the radial afferents near their points of synaptic contact with the OHCs and by recording from single cochlear nerve afferents during simultaneous perfusion of the perilymphatic spaces with solutions containing altered divalent cation content. The number and ultrastructure of active zones supplying radial afferents will be assessed by serially reconstructing their terminations on the hair cells with high voltage electron microscopy (HVEM). The long range goal is to develop a physically-based model of this sensory synapse. The study has public health implications in that it will open the way for the study of drug and disease mechanisms which may specifically affect the synapse.