title: Cochlear efferents in developing adult and pathological conditions.
abstract: Cochlear activity is regulated by the olivo-cochlear bundle, which originates from the brainstem and projects onto the hair cells and auditory nerve fibers. Two efferent components can be distinguished: the medial and lateral olivo-cochlear efferent originating from the medial, and the lateral nuclei of the superior olivary complex. The input of the efferent systems on hair cells occurs during development and persists in the adult cochlea. Recent studies have shown that the efferent innervations are required to set the activity pattern in developing hair cells and auditory nerve fibers and to protect the synaptic structures in adult cochlea. In addition, efferent innervations undergo plasticity during pathological conditions such as noise-trauma or aging. This review discusses the mechanisms underlying the control of the hair cells and afferent fibers excitability by efferent neurons and their putative role in developing adult and pathological conditions.
authors: Inserm U1051 - Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091, Montpellier cedex 5, France, regis.nouvian@inserm.fr.
authors: Régis
authors: R
authors: Nouvian
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Eybalin
authors: Jean-Luc
authors: JL
authors: Puel
mesh_terms: D003051:Cochlea / Q000294:innervation*; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009476:Neurons, Efferent