脳幹聴覚中枢周辺の再生、可塑性

抄録

Recovery of auditory function after damage to the central auditory pathway would be achievable if the neural connections can be restored histologically. The present study is the first report of successful regeneration of the central auditory pathway after transection in the rat central auditory pathway. Functional recovery of hearing by the regenerated pathway was confirmed by the auditory brain stem response. Thus, the present findings contradict the widely held view that the mammalian central auditory system cannot be restored once being damaged. These findings suggest the possibility that similar restoration can be achieved in humans.