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Title:

Investigating the Central Mechanisms Underlying Blast-induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in Rat Model

Discipline: Biomedical Enginnering

Presenter:

Ningning Shao

Abstract:

In this study, 10 weeks old male Sprague Dawley rats were used as animal model. After mild blast(180kPa) injury induction, acoustic startle response (ASR) based on Gap-Prepulse Inhibition of the Acoustic Startle (GPIAS) paradigms were conducted to diagnose the hearing problems. The neuronal integrity was investigated systematically after diagnosis. The neurotransmitter receptors(NMDAR1) were examined in inferior colliculus (IC), geniculate body (GB), auditory cortex (AC) along the central auditory pathway in acute and chronic conditions. Tinnitus induced sleep disorder and anxiety were evaluated by using specialized apparatus to conduct sleep study in rodents and elevated plus maze (EPM) respectively. Accomplishing these studies, mechanism of mild diffuse brain injury in developing hearing loss and tinnitus within the scope of neuronal integrity along the auditory pathway can be established. By investigating the spatial and temporal changes of neuronal pathology and functionality, we can elucidate the developmental pathology of hearing problems to guide rehabilitation and medical care following blast-induced auditory neurotrauma. Besides, the relationship between neuronal dysfunction in the injury pathology and negative behavioral outcomes can be established.

Author(s):

Ningning Shao1, Maciej Skotak1 , Madhuvika Murugan1, Rama Rao Venkatakakulavarappu1, Namas Chandra1

1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics materials and medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102.

Funding Acknowledgements:

This work was supported by New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research (CBIR16IRG017, CBIR17PIL020) and USA MRMC (W81XWH-15-1-0303).