Effect of olivocochlear bundle lesion on locomotor activity in rats

Author(s): Chen, T. J., Lin, C. H., Chen, S. S.

Journal/Book: Physiol Behav. 1998; 64: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 179-184.

Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of olivocochlear bundle (OCB) lesion on spontaneous locomotor activity in Wistar rats. The OCB is an auditory efferent pathway which originates from the superior olivary complex in the brainstem and terminates within the cochlea. It has an inhibitory effect on the auditory end organs. In the present study, the OCB was damaged at the floor of the fourth ventricle using radiofrequency current. The rats' locomotor activities were then monitored weekly for 2 months using an automated Digiscan activity monitor system. Six behavioral variables were collected and analyzed: horizontal activity (HA), total distance (TD), movement time (MT), vertical activity (VA), stereotypy count (SC), and margin time (MGT). Significant time-dependent increases were noted for HA, TD, VA, and SC following OCB lesion. These results of increasing exploratory and stereotyped behaviors may be caused by the rat experiencing more auditory stimulation than before due to OCB dysfunction and may cause the rat to become more curious to explore its surroundings.

Note: Article Chen SS, Kaohsiung Med Coll, Grad Inst Med, Dept Neurol, 100 Shih Chuan 1ST Rd, Kaohsiung 807, TAIWAN

Keyword(s): olivocochlear bundle; locomotor activity; rat; AUDITORY EVOKED-POTENTIALS; AUTOMATED MEASUREMENT; STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIOR; CAT; STIMULATION; MECHANISMS; RESPONSES; TINNITUS

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