Huang J M, Berlin C I, Cullen J K, Wickremasinghe A R
Kresge Hearing Research Laboratory of the South, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Biocommunications, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112, USA.
Hear Res. 1995 Aug;88(1-2):14-8. doi: 10.1016/0378-5955(95)00094-k.
Maturation of the cochlea and afferent auditory units is reflected by changes in VIIIth nerve compound action potential (CAP) parameters. We studied auditory nerve CAPs evoked by low-intensity stimuli in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) ranging in age from 22 to 92 days after birth. The gerbil CAP development is characterized by marked changes in latency, threshold, and amplitude during the first few weeks of life. CAP latency and CAP threshold reach adult-like values at about 1 month of age. In contrast, the CAP amplitude continues to grow in size even after 2 months. This dichotomy suggests that the development of afferent auditory nerve function in the gerbil is preceded by maturation of the mechanical processes of the middle ear and cochlea.
