Mechanisms of sound encoding at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse

GOUTMAN, JUAN D

Conferencia; Seminar Kresge Hearing Research Institute - University of Michigan; 2024

In our laboratory we investigate mechanisms of synaptic transmission in hair cells of the mammalian inner ear. The cellular basis of sound encoding is studied in both normal and pathological conditions, focusing on the ribbon synapse between inner hair cells and neurons of the auditory nerve. This is the first synapse in the auditory pathway and it is responsible for relaying to the brain multiple features of the acoustic environment. Two specific aspects of sound encoding, namely auditory nerve adaptation and phase locking have been investigated. The cellular mechanisms that allow the IHC ribbon synapse to release neurotransmitter onto auditory nerve neurons in a timely manner and also after prolonged stimuli will be discussed. In addition, recent experiments using the glutamate-uncaging technique will be presented.