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Auditory-evoked brainstem responses in the torpid deermouse
B Katbamna1, C Thodi, J B Senturia
1Department of Speech and Hearing, Cleveland State University, OH 44115, USA.
Physiology & Behavior
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Auditory-evoked brainstem responses (ABR) in deermice show altered neural activity during torpor. Full auditory function and brainstem response recovery occur during arousal from torpor.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Mammalian Biology
Background:
- Torpor is a state of metabolic depression in endotherms.
- Auditory-evoked brainstem responses (ABR) assess the integrity of the auditory pathway.
- Deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are a model organism for studying torpor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate auditory-evoked brainstem responses (ABR) in deermice during torpor and arousal.
- To understand changes in auditory pathway function during metabolic depression and recovery.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings of ABR in deermice.
- Stimulation at varying click rates (slow and fast).
- Comparison of ABR patterns during euthermia, torpor, and arousal.
Main Results:
- Euthermic deermice exhibited a standard five-wave ABR within 10 ms.
- During torpor, ABR Wave I was elicited only at slow stimulation rates, indicating impaired neural processing.
- Arousal was associated with the reappearance of all ABR components at both slow and fast rates.
Conclusions:
- Auditory pathway function is significantly altered during torpor in deermice.
- The recovery of ABR components during arousal signifies the restoration of auditory neural activity.
- ABR can serve as a sensitive indicator of neural function during physiological transitions like torpor.