Acetylcholinesterase Activity in the Efferent Cochlear Fibres After Destruction of the Organ of Corti and Afferent Fibres

Abstract

Prolonged acoustic trauma associated with neomycin sulphate treatment brought about the complete destruction of the organ and ganglion of Corti in a series of guinea-pigs. Koelle and Friedenwald's test revealed the persistence of AChE activity in the intraganglionic spiral bundle but not on the basilar membrane, where Cajal-De Castro's silver impregnation method failed to disclose the presence of nerve fibres. Emphasis is laid on the different response displayed by the efferent and afferent fibres to the degenerative processes caused by the described treatment.