title: Neurotrophic factors and neural prostheses: potential clinical applications based upon findings in the auditory system.
abstract: Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are the target cells of the cochlear implant, a neural prosthesis designed to provide important auditory cues to severely or profoundly deaf patients. The ongoing degeneration of SGNs that occurs following a sensorineural hearing loss is, therefore, considered a limiting factor in cochlear implant efficacy. We review neurobiological techniques aimed at preventing SGN degeneration using exogenous delivery of neurotrophic factors. Application of these proteins prevents SGN degeneration and can enhance neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, chronic electrical stimulation of SGNs increases neurotrophic factor-induced survival and is correlated with functional benefits. The application of neurotrophic factors has the potential to enhance the benefits that patients can derive from cochlear implants; moreover, these techniques may be relevant for use with neural prostheses in other neurological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Bionic Ear Institute, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Pettingill
authors.forename: Rachael T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Andrew K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Shepherd
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000639:trends*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013136:Spiral Ganglion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors