Miller J M, Sutton D, Carlisle L
Am J Otolaryngol. 1986 Jul-Aug;7(4):239-49. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0709(86)80045-x.
The form and pattern of first-order and transsynaptic degeneration in the central auditory pathway was studied in monkeys following inner ear stimulation by a cochlear implant. Multielectrode, scala tympani, and modiolar systems were implanted; in some cases, neomycin was perfused into the cochlea to destroy the organ of Corti at the time of implantation. The monkeys were maintained chronically for 5 to 120 weeks, then the cochleas and brainstems were examined histologically. The extent of spiral ganglion cell loss across animals showed variability, reflecting the different procedures and devices used. The degree and distribution of spiral ganglion cell loss was related to the degree and distribution of neural degeneration seen in the cochlear nucleus in all cases. Peripheral damage progressed toward the cochlear apex as survival time increased, and this progression was reflected in the cochlear nucleus by a ventrolateral shift in the locus of degeneration over time. In addition, evidence for transneuronal degeneration was seen at the superior olive, the lateral lemniscus and the inferior colliculus. Our findings indicate that several factors inherent in the use of a cochlear prosthesis, i.e., insertion trauma, host reaction, and/or electrical stimulation, may be associated with a long-term, continuing process of central degeneration visible at several levels of the auditory system.
在猴子身上，通过人工耳蜗刺激内耳后，研究了中枢听觉通路中一级和跨突触变性的形式和模式。植入了多电极、鼓阶和蜗轴系统；在某些情况下，在植入时将新霉素灌注到耳蜗中以破坏柯蒂氏器。将猴子长期饲养5至120周，然后对耳蜗和脑干进行组织学检查。不同动物之间螺旋神经节细胞损失的程度存在差异，这反映了所使用的不同手术方法和装置。在所有病例中，螺旋神经节细胞损失的程度和分布与在耳蜗核中观察到的神经变性的程度和分布有关。随着存活时间的增加，外周损伤向耳蜗顶部发展，并且这种发展在耳蜗核中表现为随着时间的推移变性部位向腹外侧移动。此外，在上橄榄核、外侧丘系和下丘中也发现了跨神经元变性的证据。我们的研究结果表明，人工耳蜗使用过程中固有的几个因素，即插入创伤、宿主反应和/或电刺激，可能与听觉系统多个层面可见的长期持续的中枢变性过程有关。
