Cerebellopontine angle cisternal infusion of NGF, BDNF and NT-3: effects on cochlear neurons disconnected from...

Cochlear neurons need their synaptic contacts with both their peripheral (organ of Corti) and central (cochlear nucleus) targets for survival. We examined the in vivo effectiveness of the neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF and NT-3) on cochlear neuronal survival using our in vivo model, in which the central connection alone was selectively and quantitatively interrupted. The particular neurotrophins evaluated in the present study did not appear to have cochlear nerve rescue potential. However, the experimental model reported here can serve as a useful tool to investigate cochlear neuronal degeneration from the central side, which may lead to identification of effective mediators in the future.