electrophysiology & electroacoustic
Cilcare’s team of experts has harnessed over a decade of dedicated research and analysis on auditory assessment that led to the development of a cutting-edge platform for precise evaluation of hearing function. Our deep understanding of electrophysiology and electroacoustics, combined with state-of-the-art equipment has resulted in unique know-how enriched with a massive set of data.
We offer the tools and insights necessary to investigate the complexities of auditory processing, with non-invasive and translational measures: Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE), and Wave I analysis. Our ABR systems are calibrated for high-throughput measurements (up to 8 animals at a time).
Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR)
ABRs represent the electrical activity in the auditory nerve and brainstem in response to auditory stimuli, offering insights into the functioning of the inner hair cells (IHC) in the cochlea.
Standard Auditory Brainstem Responses in Cilcare’s animal models:
Based on a large range of historical data and an unmatched expertise in conducting auditory thresholds detection, we guarantee highly accurate & reproducible ABR measurements on the different species used in our preclinical assays.
Wave I to V Analysis
Wave I analysis is a complementary read-out to assess and quantify the integrity and functionality of the first auditory neural response of the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), specifically for the purpose of detecting and characterizing synaptopathic conditions. Synaptopathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the synapses between auditory nerve fibers and inner hair cells in the cochlea, which can result from noise exposure, aging, or other factors.
Distortion Product OtoAcoustic Emissions (DPOAE)
DPOAE are acoustic signals created and amplified by the cochlear epithelium, providing valuable information about the activity of the outer hair cells (OHC) in the cochlea.
Compound Action Potential (CAP) & Unicellular electrophysiology
CAP recordings can be used to monitor changes in auditory function over time after electrode implantation or determine how effectively implantable devices stimulate the auditory nerve and elicit neural responses, which is vital in optimizing the design and effectiveness of such implants.
Unicellular electrophysiology in the measurement of the auditory cortex is a powerful tool for dissecting the neural intricacies of auditory processing. It provides critical data on the responses of individual neurons to auditory stimuli, contributing to our understanding of auditory perception, cognition, and the neural basis of hearing-related conditions.
