Translabyrinth electrical stimulation for the induction of immediate-early genes in the gerbil brainstem.

Brainstem immediate-early gene (IEG) protein expression was induced following applications of current to the labyrinth in unanesthetized gerbils. Electrode placement, stimulus polarity, current intensity and waveform, and anesthetics all significantly affect IEG expression patterns. Direct currents of different polarity applied across the labyrinth produced IEG expression in vestibular nuclei and inferior olivary neurons in patterns similar to those seen after hemilabyrinthectomy or hypergravity stimulation.