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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Modified Experimental Conditions for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Mice and Assessment of Hearing Function and Outer Hair Cell Damage
Published on: February 10, 2023
An Experimental Study on the Protective Effect of Memantine in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Begüm Arda1, Selis Gülseven Güven2,3, Erdoğan Bulut3,4
1Department of Otolaryngology Siirt Training and Research Hospital Siirt Turkey.
Objective:
This study examined the potential protective effects of memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, against acoustic trauma (AT) in guinea pigs, using electrophysiological and histopathological analyses.
Methods:
Thirty guinea pigs with normal hearing were divided into six groups (n = 5 per group): Group 1 (control), Group 2 (AT, early), Group 3 (AT, late), Group 4 (AT + steroid), Group 5 (AT + saline), and Group 6 (AT + memantine). AT was induced using 6-10 kHz broadband noise at 115-120 dB for 1.5-2.0 h. Animals received intraperitoneal injections of memantine, steroid, or saline 1.5 h before AT. Measurements were obtained at baseline, 2 h, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days post-AT. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were measured from 1 to 32 kHz, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) from 8 to 32 kHz. Group 2 animals were euthanized within 2 h after AT; others after the 21-day evaluation. Cochlear histopathology was evaluated postmortem.
Results:
Baseline ABR thresholds were < 30 dB SPL, and DPOAE SNRs were ≥ 6 dB. Group 6 showed improved DPOAE SNRs at 1.5 and 24 kHz compared to Groups 3 and 5. ABR thresholds in Group 6 were lower than those in Group 3 (16, 24 kHz) and Group 5 (32 kHz). Group 4 showed lower thresholds than Group 3 at 12-24 kHz. Histology revealed milder cochlear damage in Group 6 compared to Groups 2, 3, and 5.
Conclusion:
Memantine demonstrated protective effects against noise-induced hearing loss. Further studies are needed to clarify its molecular mechanisms.
