GDNF PROTECTS THE COCHLEA AGAINST NOISE DAMAGE

GLIAL-DERIVED neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was tested for its ability to prevent hearing and sensory cell loss in guinea pigs exposed to acous tic trauma. Hearing was measured prior to any treatment. Animals were exposed to damaging levels of noise either before or after local appli cation of GDNF to one ear. Four weeks later, hearing and sensory cell loss was greater in the control ear than in the ear receiving GDNF bef ore acoustic trauma or 2 h after trauma, but not 4 or 6 h after trauma . The results indicate that GDNF treatment in vivo can prevent cochlea r sensory cell damage and hearing loss if present during or shortly af ter acoustic trauma. Neuro Report 9: 2183-2187 (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.