Lateral Olivocochlear Efferent

Our studies are based on the model of lateral olivocochlear efferent function shown in the figure below, where different transmitters act to change the “set-point” of the auditory nerve.  This action provides increased sensitivity and increased dynamic range for the auditory nerve. Our experiments use lesions with neurotoxins such as MPTP to study the mechanisms of function and to model disorders caused by dysfunction.