Cochlear Microphonic Potentials: A New Recording Technique

Abstract

A new instrumentation and a particular method for detecting and recording cochlear microphonic potentials (CMPs) are described here. The CMPs were recorded in rats by means of pure tones (4,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, and 250 Hz) and intraepidermic electrodes; the electrocochleography technique was avoided. An experimental design that included the use of a glutamatergic agonist (kainic acid [KA]) and an aminoglycoside antibiotic (kanamycin [KANA]) was carried out to demonstrate the origin of the recorded potential. Morphological studies showed that KA selectively eliminated the afferent type I dendrites of the spiral ganglion, while the administration of KANA resulted in the absence of outer hair cells. When CMPs were recorded after KA administration, no alterations were detected. In contrast, KANA administration resulted in the absence of any selective electrophysiological activity corresponding to CMPs. All these results were compared with the recording of the compound action potential of the eighth nerve obtained by electrocochleography. These findings and the great specificity of the reproduction of the sound stimulus confirm that the CMPs can be recorded by the new equipment.