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Evaluation of Possible Effects of a Potassium Channel Modulator on Temporal Processing by Cochlear Implant Listeners.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Deeks, John M 
Guérit, François 
Lamping, Wiebke 
Billig, Alexander J 

Abstract

Temporal processing by cochlear implant listeners is degraded and is affected by auditory deprivation. The fast-acting Kv3.1 potassium channel is important for sustained temporally accurate firing and is also susceptible to deprivation, the effects of which can be partially restored in animals by the molecule AUT00063. We report the results of a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind study on psychophysical tests of the effects of AUT00063 on temporal processing by CI listeners. The study measured the upper limit of temporal pitch, gap detection, and discrimination of low rates (centred on 120 pps) for monopolar pulse trains presented to an apical electrode. The upper limit was measured using the optimally efficient midpoint comparison (MPC) pitch-ranking procedure; thresholds were obtained for the other two measures using an adaptive procedure. Twelve CI users (MedEl and Cochlear) were tested before and after two periods of AUT00063 or placebo in a within-subject crossover study. No significant differences occurred between post-drug and post-placebo conditions. This absence of effect occurred despite high test-retest reliability for all three measures, obtained by comparing performance on the two baseline visits, and despite the demonstrated sensitivity of the measures to modest changes in temporal processing obtained in other studies from our laboratory. Hence, we have no evidence that AUT00063 improves temporal processing for the doses and patient population employed.

Description

Keywords

AUT00063, cochlear implant (CI), gap detection threshold (GDT), kv3.1, midpoint comparison procedure (MPC), rate discrimination ratio (RDR), temporal processing, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Auditory Perception, Cochlear Implants, Cross-Over Studies, Deafness, Double-Blind Method, Hearing Tests, Humans, Imidazoles, Middle Aged, Pyrimidines, Shaw Potassium Channels

Journal Title

J Assoc Res Otolaryngol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1525-3961
1438-7573

Volume Title

19

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00005/3)
Autifony therapeutics