| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,940,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,140,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
We previously reported the neurotrophin receptor p75 knockout mouse (p75 KO mice) is a useful model for progressive-onset hearing loss. We used this model for the investigation of electroacupuncture (EA) effects on the cochlear morphology. We applied EA stimulation at the acupuncture points (SI19 and TE17) which are commonly used to improve ear problems. EA stimulations were applied for 4 months from the age of 2 to 6 months. We observed that outer hair cells (OHCs) efferent innervation was degenerated in the apical or second turns of the cochleae in 6 months old p75 KO mice without EA stimulations. Wherease, these remained normal in those receiving EA. We also found that ATP, a neuromodulator with neuroprotective properties, was released during EA stimulation. These findings suggest that the EA treatment is probable to have therapeutic effects to reduce neurodegeneration of the efferent system in the OHCs and that ATP is likely to be involeved in this effect.
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