Effects of early deafness on development of brain stem auditory neurons

Early destruction of the otocyst (embryonic precursor of the inner ear) in chick embryos results in complex changes in developing central auditory pathways. In the cochlear nucleus angularis (NA) and nucleus magnocellularis (NM), 30% to 40% of the neurons die after otocyst removal, the survivors are shrunken, and some neurons in the NA migrate to an abnormal position in the brain stem. The characteristic forms of cochlear nucleus neurons develop normally in the absence of cochlear nerve input, however. In the nucleus laminaris (NL), development of normal dendritic size is dependent on a normal inner ear, but most of the highly specialized dendritic organization of this nucleus, which is important for low-frequency sound localization, can develop normally in the absence of cochlear influences. Otocyst removal induces formation of a permanent functional aberrant axonal projection to the ipsilateral NM from the contralateral NM. Although these aberrant axons form functional glutamatergic synapses, these show immature functional properties, suggesting that cochlear nerve inputs are necessary for normal maturation of glutamate receptors on auditory neurons. Treatment of chick embryo for a brief period in ovo with 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, a quinoxalinedione antagonist of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate-kainate subtype of glutamate receptor, completely and permanently prevents the neuronal loss in the NM produced by otocyst removal. The work reviewed has 1) identified aspects of development in central auditory neurons that are perturbed by profound early sensorineural loss, 2) identified aspects of development that appear independent of cochlear influences, and 3) suggested a potential chemotherapeutic approach to prevention of central neuronal death after early damage to the cochlea.