The long-term objective of this study is to investigate the ultrastructure of normal animal inner ears as well as experimentally induced pathological ears for the purpose of increasing our knowledge on the working mechanisms of the auditory and vestibular systems. The main focus of the animal experiments is directed toward the identification of the etiology and the treatment of Meniere's disease.
The specific aims are: 1) aided by an integrated computer system, to conduct a morphometrical study on the membranous wall of the cochlear duct and fluid spaces using serial sections for light microscopy, and on the outer and inner hair cells, stria vascularis and cell organelles using serial sections for electron microscopy; 2) to conduct morphological studies on the cochlear nerve fibers by studying serial sections, and autonomic nerve fibers by injection of horseradish peroxidase and histochemical techniques; 3) to conduct a tracer study to test the theory of longitudinal flow of endolymph from the vestibular labyrinth into the endolymphatic sac, and to determine if perilymph flows or moves in either the apical or basal direction in the cochlear; 4) to perform experimental studies on endolymphatic hydrops related to Meniere's disease. An attempt will be made to create a better animal model which will demonstrate endolymphatic hydrops associated with dizziness using a less invasive method. Furthermore, major emphasis will be placed on the control of endolymphatic hydrops in the existing animal model by applying various drugs based on different actions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC000073-29
Application #
3215551
Study Section
Hearing Research Study Section (HAR)
Project Start
1979-04-01
Project End
1991-03-31
Budget Start
1990-04-01
Budget End
1991-03-31
Support Year
29
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Department
Type
DUNS #
073825945
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02114
Shinomori, Y; Spack, D S; Jones, D D et al. (2001) Volumetric and dimensional analysis of the guinea pig inner ear. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 110:91-8
Shinomori, Y; Kimura, R S (2001) Allopurinol attenuates endolymphatic hydrops in the guinea pig cochlea. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 63:267-71
Sakikawa, Y; Wall 3rd, C; Kimura, R S (1999) Vestibular responses of normal and hydropic ears of the guinea pig to middle ear pressure application. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 108:271-6
Hamada, M; Kimura, R S (1999) Morphological changes induced by administration of a Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor in normal and hydropic inner ears of the guinea pig. Acta Otolaryngol 119:778-86
Kimura, R S; Trehey, J A; Hutta, J (1995) Degeneration of vestibular sensory cells caused by ablation of the vestibular aqueduct in the gerbil ear. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 104:155-60
Kikuchi, T; Kimura, R S; Paul, D L et al. (1995) Gap junctions in the rat cochlea: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis. Anat Embryol (Berl) 191:101-18
Ichimiya, I; Adams, J C; Kimura, R S (1994) Changes in immunostaining of cochleas with experimentally induced endolymphatic hydrops. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 103:457-68
Ichimiya, I; Adams, J C; Kimura, R S (1994) Immunolocalization of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, Ca(++)-ATPase, calcium-binding proteins, and carbonic anhydrase in the guinea pig inner ear. Acta Otolaryngol 114:167-76
Kikuchi, T; Adams, J C; Paul, D L et al. (1994) Gap junction systems in the rat vestibular labyrinth: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis. Acta Otolaryngol 114:520-8
Hara, M; Kimura, R S (1993) Morphology of the membrana limitans. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 102:625-30

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