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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 576/1/49    most recent jphysiol.2006.114991v1 Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cooper, N. P. Articles by Guinan, J. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cooper, N. P. Articles by Guinan, J. J., Jr Related Collections Review articles

¹ School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
² Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA

Medial olivocochlear efferent (MOCE) neurones innervate the outer hair cells (OHCs) of the mammalian cochlea, and convey signals that are capable of controlling the sensitivity of the peripheral auditory system in a frequency-specific manner. Recent methodological developments have allowed the effects of the MOCE system to be observed in vivo at the level of the basilar membrane (BM). These observations have confirmed earlier theories that at least some of the MOCE's effects are mediated via the cochlea's mechanics, with the OHCs acting as the mechanical effectors. However, the new observations have also provided some unexpected twists: apparently, the MOCEs can enhance the BM's responses to some sounds while inhibiting its responses to others, and they can alter the BM's response to a single sound using at least two separate mechanisms. Such observations put new constraints on the way in which the cochlea's mechanics, and the OHCs in particular, are thought to operate.

(Received 8 June 2006; accepted after revision 3 August 2006; first published online 10 August 2006)
Corresponding author N.P. Cooper: School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK. Email: n.p.cooper{at}keele.ac.uk

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