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CENTRIFUGAL CONTROL IN MAMMALIAN HEARING
Author(s) -
Robertson Donald
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2009.05185.x
Subject(s) - efferent , cochlea , neuroscience , afferent , electrophysiology , inner ear , sensory system , hair cell , balance (ability) , efferent neuron , biology
SUMMARY1 Centrifugal control of many sensory systems is well established, notably in the γ motorneuron of skeletal muscle stretch receptors. 2 Efferent (olivocochlear) innervation of the mammalian cochlea was first established through anatomical studies. Histological studies confirmed synaptic terminals in contact with hair cells and afferent dendrites. 3 Electrophysiology has elucidated the cellular mechanisms of efferent modulation in the cochlea. 4 The system has potential roles in noise protection, homeostatic feedback control of cochlear function and signal processing. There is some evidence in support of each, but also contraindications. 5 It is concluded that the role of the olivocochlear innervation is still contentious but, on balance, the evidence appears to favour a role in enhancing signal detection in noise.