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送投射 脉管系统。脑干的末端以颗粒状和大细胞状结束 腹侧耳蜗核 (VCN) 区域和橄榄耳蜗位置 上橄榄复合体中的神经元。神经支配的耳蜗部分 调节耳蜗内的血流。 然而，脑干的功能 投影未知。初步调查结果表明，对 VCN 的预测 是令人兴奋的。颗粒细胞的轴突（平行纤维）投射到背侧 耳蜗核（DCN）。因此，三叉神经支配的兴奋 可能会影响耳蜗核（CN）的大部分输出神经元。 A系列 的研究旨在阐明这个新的 CN 部分的功能 投影并定义其神经递质： 三叉神经节将受到电刺激，同时观察 CN 中单个单位的响应。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估， 神经药理学。三叉神经节在生成和生成中的作用 将探索耳鸣的调节：多达三分之二的耳鸣 患者可以通过咬紧下巴或触摸耳鸣来调节耳鸣。 面部皮肤，受三叉神经节支配的区域。其他人可以 将耳鸣的发作归因于头部和颈部区域的躯体损伤 （“躯体性耳鸣”）。假设自发率增加是 耳鸣的表现及其通过中枢神经体感输入的调节 可能在耳鸣的产生和调节中发挥作用。假设 通过电刺激三叉神经节来测试 wifi 记录 CN 单个单元的自发活动。识别 该途径中使用的神经递质可以为以后的药物奠定基础 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.