Screening Vestibular Function Using Evoked Potentials
P.I.: Sherri
Jones, Ph.D.
Description: We are developing techniques to measure evoked
potentials noninvasively from the peripheral and central vestibular pathways
- much like auditory brainstem response testing that is widely used to
assess auditory function. We have already established techniques for and
are recording neural activity from the gravity receptor pathways (i.e.,
utricular and saccular function to linear head motion). We are now refining
and extending these techniques to assess canal function (using angular
head motion). These measures will provide vestibular threshold, latency,
and amplitude information reflecting the general sensitivity, timing and
discharge synchrony of vestibular neural populations respectively. We
propose to measure: 1) mutants with known vestibular anatomical deficits;
2) presumed vestibular deficits based on disturbances in posture and balance
behaviors; and 3) random samplings across mutant breeding colonies. Collaborators
include Dr. Kenneth Johnson at The Jackson Laboratory, Dr. Lawrence Erway
at the University of Cincinnati and Dr. Timothy Jones at the University
of Missouri.
Screening Protocol: Vestibular evoked potentials will be
recorded from 8 to 10 animals per strain for sufficient data for statistical
analyses. We propose to measure animals between 3 to 12 months of age,
however we have made recordings on mice as young as 10 days to over 2
years of age. Gross behavioral observations will be recorded as well as
swimming ability and postural reflexes.
Contact: We look forward to testing any candidate mutants
brought to our attention. Please contact Sherri
Jones.
Selected Publications:
1. Jones SM, Erway LC, Bergstrom RA, Schimenti JC, Jones TA (1999) Vestibular
responses to linear acceleration are absent in otoconia-deficient C57BL/6JEi-het
mice. Hearing Research, 135, 56-60.
2. Jones TA, Jones SM (1999) Short latency compound action potentials
from mammalian gravity receptor organs. Hearing Research, 136, 75-85.