[Changes of GABA immunoreactivity in aged rat cochlear nucleus].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the changes of gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity in the aged rat cochlear nucleus and to investigate its relationship with the initiation of presbycusis.


METHODS
The cochlear nucleuses of adult (2-3 months) and aged (20-36 months) Wistar rats were stained with streptavidin/peroxidase (S-P) technique. GABA-positive neurons were counted with a computer-aid image analysis system.


RESULTS
Most of the GABA-immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the superficial layers of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). The number of GABA-positive neurons decreased significantly in the DCN of the aged rat cochlear nucleus (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction of GABA positive neurons in the aged rat cochlear nucleus may be related to presbycusis.
Institute of Otolaryngology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing.
W
W
Yang
W
W
Wu
Y
Y
Fang
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017626:Cochlear Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011304:Presbycusis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid