Apoptosis in auditory brainstem neurons after a severe noise trauma of the organ of Corti: intracochlear GDNF treatment reduces the number of apoptotic cells.

We have studied the morphological and cellular changes in the cochlear nucleus (CN) after cochlear nerve degeneration and whether these changes can be prevented by rescuing the primary cochlear neurons from degeneration with local glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) treatment. Degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons was seen to lead to a reduction of the volume of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN); the size of the cell nuclei in the AVCN also was reduced. No differences were observed in cell density. After intrascalar GDNF treatment the volume of the AVCN was significantly larger when compared to the untreated side, and the size of the cell nuclei in the AVCN was significantly larger on the treated side. After degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons, an increased number of apoptotic cell nuclei were seen in ipsilateral CN and superior olivary complex. This increase was significantly smaller after intrascalar GDNF treatment. Degeneration of primary cochlear neurons seems to lead to an increase in the number of CN neurons undergoing apoptotic cell death. This can be prevented partially by rescuing primary cochlear neurons from degeneration with local GDNF treatment.