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Immunolabeling and Counting Ribbon Synapses in Young Adult and Aged Gerbil Cochleae
Published on: April 21, 2022
Structural and functional changes in the cristae ampullares of aged gerbils
1Departments of Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1069, USA. rbleonar@utmb.edu
Neuroscience
|June 15, 2007
Summary
In aged gerbils, vestibular afferent calyxes show reduced tracer uptake and abnormal function, suggesting calyx loss may occur with aging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vestibular System Research
- Gerontology
Background:
- Calretinin and calbindin staining in vestibular calyxes is reduced in aged gerbils.
- Hair cell numbers remain normal in these aged animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional integrity of vestibular primary afferents in aged gerbils.
- To determine if aged gerbils' afferents can transport tracers and respond to stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Injected tracer into the vestibular nuclear complex of young and aged gerbils.
- Examined tracer transport to calyx terminals in the cristae.
- Recorded and stimulated vestibular afferent axons to assess function.
Main Results:
- Aged gerbils showed reduced or absent tracer filling of calyxes.
- Labeled axons were sometimes missing, correlating with calretinin absence.
- Many aged afferents exhibited abnormal spontaneous activity or unresponsiveness to natural stimulation.
- Electrical stimulation could activate these abnormal afferents.
Conclusions:
- Aged gerbils exhibit significant deficits in vestibular afferent function.
- Reduced tracer uptake and abnormal firing patterns suggest functional impairment.
- Calyx loss is the proposed explanation for these age-related changes in the vestibular system.
