[Method for in vitro recording of vestibular neurons of the inner ear during postnatal development in the mouse]

Unitary recordings of spontaneous activity were performed from vestibular ganglion perikaria and axons of Mouse inner ear explants. The latter were from 1-11 day postnatal mice and were maintained in vitro at 37 degrees C, in a defined bathing medium. Spontaneous action potentials were obtained at each developmental stage and presented the distinctive features of the in vivo recorded activities during normal development. On the 3rd day post partum the recorded activities were of the immature type, with slow irregular discharge frequencies. In ganglia 3 to 9 days post partum the spike frequencies increased and the discharges exhibited 3 distinct firing patterns. This electrophysiological maturation of vestibular receptors is discussed in comparison with the morphological maturation of the vestibular organ during the same postnatal period.