Journal article
Strategies to preserve or regenerate spiral ganglion neurons
Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery, Vol.13(5), pp.294-300
10/2005
DOI: 10.1097/01.moo.0000180919.68812.b9
PMID: 16160524
Abstract
Degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons following hair cell loss carries critical implications for efforts to rehabilitate severe cases of hearing loss with cochlear implants or hair cell regeneration. This review considers recently identified neurotrophic factors and therapeutic strategies which promote spiral ganglion neuron survival and neurite growth. Replacement of these factors may help preserve or regenerate the auditory nerve in patients with extensive hair cell loss.
Spiral ganglion neurons depend on neurotrophic factors supplied by hair cells and other targets for their development and continued survival. Loss of this trophic support leads to spiral ganglion neuron death via apoptosis. Hair cells support spiral ganglion neuron survival by producing several peptide neurotrophic factors such as neurotrophin-3 and glial derived neurotrophic factor. In addition, neurotransmitter release from the hair cells drives membrane electrical activity in spiral ganglion neurons which also supports their survival. In animal models, replacement of peptide neurotrophic factors or electrical stimulation with an implanted electrode attenuates spiral ganglion neuron degeneration following deafferentation. Cell death inhibitors can also preserve spiral ganglion neuron populations. Preliminary studies show that transfer of stem cells or neurons from other ganglia are two potential strategies to replace lost spiral ganglion neurons. Inducing the regrowth of spiral ganglion neuron peripheral processes to approximate or contact cochlear implant electrodes may help optimize signaling from a diminished population of neurons.
Recent studies of spiral ganglion neuron development and survival have identified several trophic and neuritogenic factors which protect these specialized cells from degeneration following hair cell loss. While still preliminary, such strategies show promise for future clinical applications.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Strategies to preserve or regenerate spiral ganglion neurons
- Creators
- Pamela C Roehm - Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USAMarlan R Hansen
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery, Vol.13(5), pp.294-300
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1097/01.moo.0000180919.68812.b9
- PMID
- 16160524
- ISSN
- 1068-9508
- eISSN
- 1531-6998
- Grant note
- K08 DC006211 / NIDCD NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2005
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984006425102771
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