Peripheral cell loss related to calcium binding protein immunocytochemistry in the dorsal cochlear nucleus in CBA/CaJ mice during aging

The influence of cochlear hair cell and spiral ganglia neuron loss on calci um binding protein immunoreactivity (calretinin, parvalbumin and calbindin) in the dorsal and posteroventral cochlear nuclei (DCN and PVCN) in CBA/ Ca J (CBA) mice during aging (1-39 months) was determined. Since calcium bindi ng proteins have buffering properties against calcium overload, they may ha ve a protective role during aging. It is shown that the percentage of calre tinin- and parvalbumin-immunopositive neurons in the DCN showed a statistic ally significant positive correlation with inner hair cell loss, outer hair cell loss, and spiral ganglion cell loss. A correlation was also found bet ween aging and the auditory periphery, and calcium binding proteins in the DCN. These findings Imply that the pathophysiological state of the auditory periphery may influence the neuronal homeostasis in the dorsal cochlear nu cleus. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.