Stephen J O'Leary et al 2009 J. Neural Eng. 6 055002 doi:10.1088/1741-2560/6/5/055002
Stephen J O'Leary1, Rachael R Richardson2 and Hugh J McDermott1
Show affiliationsThe perceptual performance of cochlear implant recipients seems to have reached a plateau in recent years. This may be attributable to inadequate neural selectivity of available intracochlear electrodes, caused by current spread and electrode interactions. Attempts to improve electrode selectivity have included manipulating the number and configuration of electrodes that are stimulated at any one time, displacing perilymph from the cochlea to restrict current flow along the cochlea, and reducing the distance between electrodes and neurons. One experimental approach by which the distance between neurons and electrodes may be reduced is to use neurotrophic factors to promote the regeneration of the peripheral dendrites of auditory neurons and guide them towards intracochlear electrodes. The likely requirements of a system for regenerating auditory neurons towards the cochlear electrode include either a stable release of neurotrophin, or transient neurotrophin followed by electrical stimulation; a close proximity of electrode to osseous spiral lamina or a polymer to bridge the gap between the two; guidance signals to attract neurons towards the electrode; patterning of the electrode surface to direct dendrites to electrode contacts and a 'stop' signal to arrest regeneration once the electrode has been reached.
43.64.Me Effects of electrical stimulation, cochlear implant
Issue 5 (October 2009)
Received 6 January 2009, accepted for publication 18 March 2009
Published 1 September 2009
Stephen J O'Leary et al 2009 J. Neural Eng. 6 055002
F A-M Bender 2008 Environ. Res. Lett. 3 014001
S. Mereghetti 2001 ApJ 548 L213
O. S. Barišić 2007 EPL 77 57004
Asantha R. Cooray and J. L. Elliot 2003 ApJ 587 L121
A Peregon et al 2009 Environ. Res. Lett. 4 045028
N M Tchebakova et al 2009 Environ. Res. Lett. 4 045013
S. Haddad 2007 EPL 80 62001
A. Paizis et al 2007 ApJ 657 L109
Will Clarkson et al. 2008 ApJ 684 1110