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Detection of Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses in the Auditory System Using Fluorescence Immunohistochemistry and High-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy

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Auditory and Vestibular Research

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1427))

Abstract

In sensory systems, a balanced excitatory and inhibitory circuit along the ascending pathway is not only important for the establishment of topographically ordered connections from the periphery to the cortex but also for temporal precision of signal processing. The accomplishment of spatial and temporal cortical resolution in the central nervous system is a process that is likely initiated by the first sensory experiences that drive a period of increased intracortical inhibition. In the auditory system, the time of first sensory experience is also the period in which a reorganization of cochlear efferent and afferent fibers occurs leading to the mature innervation of inner and outer hair cells. This mature hair cell innervation is the basis of accurate sound processing along the ascending pathway up to the auditory cortex. We describe here, a protocol for detecting excitatory and inhibitory marker proteins along the ascending auditory pathway, which could be a useful tool for detecting changes in auditory signal processing during various forms of hearing disorders. Our protocol uses fluorescence immunohistochemistry in combination with high-resolution fluorescence microscopy in cochlear and brain tissue.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, Tübingen, 72076, Germany

    Wibke Singer, Hyun-Soon Geisler, Rama Panford-Walsh & Marlies Knipper

  2. DNA Genotek Inc., Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Rama Panford-Walsh

Authors
  1. Wibke Singer
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  2. Hyun-Soon Geisler
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  3. Rama Panford-Walsh
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  4. Marlies Knipper
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marlies Knipper .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Bernd Sokolowski

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Singer, W., Geisler, HS., Panford-Walsh, R., Knipper, M. (2016). Detection of Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses in the Auditory System Using Fluorescence Immunohistochemistry and High-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy. In: Sokolowski, B. (eds) Auditory and Vestibular Research. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1427. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3615-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3615-1_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-3613-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-3615-1

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