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Patterns of GFAP-immunoreactivity parallel the tonotopic axis in the developing dorsal cochlear nucleus
G H Riggs1, N G Cooper, L Schweitzer
1Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40292, USA.
Hearing Research
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-expressing glia may establish the tonotopic organization in the auditory system. These glial processes appear before nerve cells invade the dorsal cochlear nucleus, suggesting an early developmental role.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Auditory System Research
Background:
- The role of glia in auditory system development is unclear.
- Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-expressing glia are implicated in neural organization in other systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the development of GFAP-immunoreactivity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN).
- To investigate the potential role of glia in the tonotopic and laminar organization of the DCN.
Main Methods:
- Used a polyclonal antibody to GFAP to map its expression.
- Examined GFAP-immunoreactivity in the developing dorsal cochlear nucleus.
Main Results:
- GFAP-immunoreactive glial processes were observed parallel to presumptive isofrequency sheets in the DCN.
- These glial processes appeared before primary afferents invaded the nucleus.
Conclusions:
- GFAP-expressing glia are positioned to play an early role in establishing the tonotopic axis of the DCN.
- Glia may be crucial for the initial development of auditory system organization.