W Yang1, W Wu, Y Fang. 1. Institute of Otolaryngology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To detect the changes of gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity in the aged rat cochlear nucleus and to investigate its relationship with the initiation of presbycusis. METHODS: The cochlear nucleuses of adult (2-3 months) and aged (20-36 months) Wistar rats were stained with streptavidin/peroxidase (S-P) technique. GABA-positive neurons were counted with a computer-aid image analysis system. RESULTS: Most of the GABA-immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the superficial layers of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). The number of GABA-positive neurons decreased significantly in the DCN of the aged rat cochlear nucleus (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The reduction of GABA positive neurons in the aged rat cochlear nucleus may be related to presbycusis.
OBJECTIVES: To detect the changes of gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity in the aged rat cochlear nucleus and to investigate its relationship with the initiation of presbycusis. METHODS: The cochlear nucleuses of adult (2-3 months) and aged (20-36 months) Wistar rats were stained with streptavidin/peroxidase (S-P) technique. GABA-positive neurons were counted with a computer-aid image analysis system. RESULTS: Most of the GABA-immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the superficial layers of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). The number of GABA-positive neurons decreased significantly in the DCN of the aged rat cochlear nucleus (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The reduction of GABA positive neurons in the aged rat cochlear nucleus may be related to presbycusis.