Olivocochlear projections contribute to superior intensity coding in cochlear nucleus small cells.

ABSTRACT: Understanding communication signals, especially in noisy environments, is crucial to social interactions. Yet, as we age, acoustic signals can be disrupted by cochlear damage and the subsequent auditory nerve fibre degeneration. The most vulnerable medium- and high-threshold-auditory nerve fibres innervate various cell types in the cochlear nucleus, among which the small cells are unique in receiving this input exclusively. Furthermore, small cells project to medial olivocochlear (MOC) neurons, which in turn send branched collaterals back into the small cell cap. Here, we use single-unit recordings to characterise small cell firing characteristics and demonstrate superior intensity coding in this cell class. We show converse effects when activating/blocking the MOC system, demonstrating th

SUBMITTER: Hockley A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9067393 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature