Journal article
Subtle alterations of vestibulomotor functioning in conductive hearing loss
Frontiers in neuroscience, v 17, pp 1057551-1057551
29 Aug 2023
PMID: 37706156
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Introduction: Conductive hearing loss (CHL) attenuates the ability to transmit air conducted sounds to the ear. In humans, severe hearing loss is often accompanied by alterations to other neural systems, such as the vestibular system; however, the inter-relations are not well understood. The overall goal of this study was to assess vestibular-related functioning proxies in a rat CHL model.
Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (N=134, 250g, 2months old) were used in a CHL model which produced a >20dB threshold shift induced by tympanic membrane puncture. Auditory brainstem response (ABRs) recordings were used to determine threshold depth at different times before and after CHL. ABR threshold depths were assessed both manually and by an automated ABR machine learning algorithm. Vestibular-related functioning proxy assessment was performed using the rotarod, balance beam, elevator vertical motion (EVM) and Ferris-wheel rotation (FWR) assays.
Results: The Pre-CHL (control) threshold depth was 27.92dB +/- 11.58dB compared to the Post-CHL threshold depth of 50.69dB +/- 13.98dB (mean +/- SD) across the frequencies tested. The automated ABR machine learning algorithm determined the following threshold depths: Pre-CHL=24.3dB, Post-CHL same day=56dB, Post-CHL 7 days=41.16dB, and Post-CHL 1 month=32.5dB across the frequencies assessed (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32kHz). Rotarod assessment of motor function was not significantly different between pre and post-CHL (similar to 1week) rats for time duration (sec) or speed (RPM), albeit the former had a small effect size difference. Balance beam time to transverse was significantly longer for post-CHL rats, likely indicating a change in motor coordination. Further, failure to cross was only noted for CHL rats. The defection count was significantly reduced for CHL rats compared to control rats following FWR, but not EVM. The total distance traveled during openfield examination after EVM was significantly different between control and CHL rats, but not for FWR. The EVM is associated with linear acceleration (acting in the vertical plane: up-down) stimulating the saccule, while the FWR is associated with angular acceleration (centrifugal rotation about a circular axis) stimulating both otolith organs and semicircular canals; therefore, the difference in results could reflect the specific vestibular-organ functional role.
Discussion: Less movement (EVM) and increase time to transverse (balance beam) may be associated with anxiety and alterations to defecation patterns (FWR) may result from autonomic disturbances due to the impact of hearing loss. In this regard, vestibulomotor deficits resulting in changes in balance and motion could be attributed to comodulation of auditory and vestibular functioning. Future studies should manipulate vestibular functioning directly in rats with CHL.
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Details
- Title
- Subtle alterations of vestibulomotor functioning in conductive hearing loss
- Creators
- Francis A. M. Manno - East Carolina UniversityPikting Cheung - City University of Hong KongVardhan Basnet - City University of Hong KongMuhammad Shehzad Khan - City University of Hong KongYuqi Mao - Second Military Medical UniversityLeilei Pan - Second Military Medical UniversityVictor Ma - Queen Elizabeth HospitalWilliam C. Cho - Queen Elizabeth HospitalShile Tian - Southern Medical UniversityZiqi An - Southern Medical UniversityYanqiu Feng - Southern Medical UniversityYi-Ling Cai - City University of Hong KongMartin Pienkowski - Salus UniversityCondon Lau - City University of Hong Kong
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in neuroscience, v 17, pp 1057551-1057551
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media Sa
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- Technology Ramp;amp;D Program of Guangdong Early Career Scheme, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong 61728107; 81871349; 2017B090912006 / National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) 2018B030333001; 21201217 / General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Audiology - 4 Year
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001065653400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85170576571
- Other Identifier
- 991022025114404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Neurosciences