Prevention of Noise Damage to Cochlear Synapses

Abstract

Noise-induced synaptopathy is the result of excitotoxic trauma to cochlear synapses due to glutamate released from the hair cells.Excitotoxic trauma damages the postsynaptic cell by causing entry of Ca2+ ions. We have identified the route of Ca2+ entry as via Ca2+-permeable AMPA-type glutamate receptors (CP-AMPARs). These are a subset of glutamate receptors that lack the GluA2 subunit. Weshowed that a selective blocker of CP-AMPARs the anandamide compound IEM-1460 is protective against excitotoxicity and noiseinducedsynaptopathy. For the latter result we perfused IEM-1460 directly into the cochlea. In this research period we have made threesignificant advances in understanding synaptopathy and protection from it. First, we have shown that female mice are significantly lesssusceptible to synaptopathy than are males, suggesting that sex hormone provide protection. Second, we have shown effective protectionagainst noise-induced synaptopathy with systemic IEM-1460 injected intraperitoneally in males and females, possibly makingintracochlear injection via surgery unnecessary. Third, we have shown that the GluA2 remains associated with postsynaptic densities(PSDs) during excitotoxic trauma in vitro suggesting that the trauma does not itself increase CP-AMPARs. Interestingly, the effect of noiseexposure on GluA2 localization in vivo differs between males and females.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1033524

Entities

People

  • Steven H Green

Organizations

  • University of Iowa

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cellular Structures
  • Confocal Microscopy
  • Data Analysis
  • Digital Images
  • Ear
  • Frequency
  • Glutamates
  • Hearing Disorders
  • Hearing Loss
  • Measurement
  • Medical Personnel
  • Microscopes
  • Military Personnel
  • Organ Of Corti
  • Sex Hormones
  • Software Development
  • Students

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Military Engineering.
  • Neuroscience