[Enhancement of GAP-43 mRNA expression in the rat medial vestibular nucleus by labyrinthectomy]

Vestibular compensation is the most extensively investigated model for neuroplasticity. Growth-associated protein (GAP-43) mRNA plays a significant role in nerve regeneration and synaptic remodeling. Using in situ hybridization with DIG (digoxigenin)-labeled GAP-43 cDNA probe, changes of GAP-43 mRNA expression in the medial vestibular nucleus in the labyrinthectomized rats at 5, 12, 20 and 30th day after operation were investigated. The results clearly demonstrated that labyrinthectomy increased GAP-43 mRNA expression to different extents and amplitudes in bilateral medial vestibular nuclei. This finding suggests that upregulation of GAP-43 mRNA expression is related to regenerative sprouting, synaptic remodeling and neuroplasticity in vestibular compensation.