Function of the Trigeminal Ganglion-Cochlear Nucleus

描述：（改编自申请人的摘要）：我们已经证明， 三叉神经节向听觉脑干和耳蜗发出投射 脉管系统脑干内的终末以颗粒状和大细胞状终末 耳蜗腹侧核（VCN）和橄榄耳蜗的位置 上级橄榄复合体的神经元。神经支配的耳蜗部分 调节耳蜗内的血流。 然而脑干的功能 预测未知。初步研究结果表明， 是兴奋的。颗粒细胞的轴突（平行纤维）向背侧投射 耳蜗核（DCN）。因此，三叉神经支配的兴奋 可影响耳蜗核（CN）的大部分输出神经元。一系列 的研究旨在阐明这种新的CN部分的功能， 投射并定义其神经递质： 三叉神经节将被电刺激，同时观察 CN中单个单元的响应。候选神经递质，物质 P和一氧化氮，将使用免疫细胞化学进行评价， 神经药理学三叉神经节在产生和 耳鸣的症状有哪些？耳鸣的症状有哪些？ 患者可以通过咬紧牙关或触摸耳鸣的 面部皮肤受三叉神经节支配的区域。其他人可以 把耳鸣的发作归因于头部和颈部的躯体损伤 （“躯体性耳鸣”）。假设增加的自发速率是 耳鸣的表现，通过CN的体感输入对其进行调制 可能在耳鸣的产生和调节中起作用。的假设 wifi可以通过电刺激三叉神经节来测试， 以CN的单个单位记录自发活动。识别 在这一通路中使用的神经递质可以为以后的药物治疗奠定基础。 治疗。

DESCRIPTION: (Adapted from applicant's abstract): We have demonstrated that the trigeminal ganglion sends a projection to the auditory brain stem and to the cochlear vasculature. The terminations in the brainstem end in granular and magnocellular regions of the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and at the locations of olivocochlear neurons in the superior olivary complex. The cochlear portion of the innervation modulates blood flow within the cochlea. However, the function of the brainstem projection is unknown. Preliminary findings suggest that the projection to the VCN is excitatory. The axons of granule' cells (parallel fibers) project to the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). Therefore, excitation by the trigeminal innervation could affect most of the output neurons of the cochlear nucleus (CN). A series of studies is designed to elucidate the function of the CN portion of this new projection and define its neurotransmitters: The trigeminal ganglion will be electrically stimulated while observing the responses of single units in the CN. The candidate neurotransmitters, Substance P and Nitric Oxide, will be evaluated using immunocytochemistry and neuropharmacology. A role for the trigeminal ganglion in the generation and modulation of tinnitus will be explored: As many as two thirds of tinnitus patients are able modulate their tinnitus by clenching the jaw or touching the skin on the face, areas innervated by the trigeminal ganglion. Others can attribute the onset of tinnitus to a somatic insult in the head and neck region ("somatic tinnitus"). On the assumption that increased spontaneous rate is a manifestation of tinnitus, its modulation by somatosensory input to the CN could play a role in the generation and modulation of tinnitus. The hypothesis wifi be tested by electrically stimulating the trigeminal ganglion while recording spontaneous activity in single units of the CN. Identifying the neurotransmitter used in this pathway could then set the stage for later drug treatments.