title: Temporal properties of inferior colliculus neurons to photonic stimulation in the cochlea.
abstract: Infrared neural stimulation (INS) may be beneficial in auditory prostheses because of its spatially selective activation of spiral ganglion neurons. However, the response properties of single auditory neurons to INS and the possible contributions of its optoacoustic effects are yet to be examined. In this study, the temporal properties of auditory neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC) of guinea pigs in response to INS were characterized. Spatial selectivity of INS was observed along the tonotopically organized ICC. Trains of laser pulses and trains of acoustic clicks were used to evoke single unit responses in ICC of normal hearing animals. In response to INS, ICC neurons showed lower limiting rates, longer latencies, and lower firing efficiencies. In deaf animals, ICC neurons could still be stimulated by INS while unresponsive to acoustic stimulation. The site and spatial selectivity of INS both likely shaped the temporal properties of ICC neurons.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors: Xiaodong
authors: X
authors: Tan
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors: Hunter
authors: H
authors: Young
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors: Agnella Izzo
authors: AI
authors: Matic
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors: Whitney
authors: W
authors: Zirkle
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
authors: Suhrud
authors: S
authors: Rajguru
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA The Hugh Knowles Center, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA cri529@northwestern.edu.
authors: Claus-Peter
authors: CP
authors: Richter
keywords: Infrared neural stimulation; limiting rate; single unit