[A study using laser-Doppler velocimetry of modifications of the labyrinthine microcirculation induced by chemical...

Vasomotor activity induced by physical and chemical stimuli in the cochlear microcirculation was evaluated by laser-doppler flowmetry. Cochlear flow changes were studied after pharmacological administration and noise exposure. The reaction of cochlear microcirculation after drug administration is similar to that observed in the brain. After phenylephrine injection the authors observed an increase of cochlear blood flow, contrary to that observed in the peripheral vessels. The authors studied the difference in time-activity and quantitative effect of several drugs commonly used in cochlear vascular diseases. Cochlear flow decrease after exposure to noise is proportional to the stimulus intensity and the exposure time.