2nd International Conference and Expo on Audiology and Deaf Studies
Las Vegas, USA
Jason Tait Sanchez
University of Washington,USA
Title: Ion channels regulate biophysical specializations in the auditory brainstem
Biography
Biography: Jason Tait Sanchez
Abstract
Ultrafast and temporally precise action potentials are biophysical specializations of auditory brainstem neurons; properties necessary for encoding sound localization and communication cues. Fundamental to this are voltage dependent potassium and sodium ion channels. In this presentation, I will report our recent findings on how these ion channels shape action potential properties in the developing auditory brainstem. Using patch-â€clamp recordings from individual cochlear nucleus neurons, our results indicate that the refinement of active ion channel properties operate differentially in order to develop action potential specializations. Such differential regulation promotes the firing of fast, reliable and phased-â€locked action potentials at relatively high rates of afferent stimulation, a biophysical property required for normal auditory information processing. Developmental changes in ion channel subunit content were the largest contributor to this process and blockade of specific ion channel function resulted in aberrant neuronal excitability and action potential control. The idea that the regulation of ion channel properties is a critical mechanism underlying auditory pathophysiological conditions will also be discussed.