Peripheral cell loss related to calcium binding protein immunocytochemistry in the dorsal cochlear nucleus in CBA/CaJ mice during aging.

The influence of cochlear hair cell and spiral ganglia neuron loss on calcium binding protein immunoreactivity (calretinin, parvalbumin and calbindin) in the dorsal and posteroventral cochlear nuclei (DCN and PVCN) in CBA/CaJ (CBA) mice during aging (1-39 months) was determined. Since calcium binding proteins have buffering properties against calcium overload, they may have a protective role during aging. It is shown that the percentage of calretinin- and parvalbumin-immunopositive neurons in the DCN showed a statistically significant positive correlation with inner hair cell loss, outer hair cell loss, and spiral ganglion cell loss. A correlation was also found between aging and the auditory periphery, and calcium binding proteins in the DCN. These findings imply that the pathophysiological state of the auditory periphery may influence the neuronal homeostasis in the dorsal cochlear nucleus.