“…First, a number of NTs, including BDNF and NT-3, are known to be widely distributed in the cochlear nucleus (Hafidi, 1999;Lefebvre et al, 1994;Tierney et al, 2001) and are thought to exert a trophic influence on SGNs (Lefebvre et al, 1994). Second, neural activity -including patterned ES -is known to up-regulate the secretion of endogenous BDNF in various neurons by regulating the transcription of the BDNF gene (Balkowiec et al, 2000;Balkowiec et al, 2002;Gartner et al, 2002;Hansen et al, 2001a;Lever et al, 2001;Lu, 2003;Nanda et al, 2000;Rocamora et al, 1996;Tan et al, In Press). Thus chronic intracochlear ES could be expected to increase endogenous levels of BDNF in SGNs; this mechanism may contribute to the reduced SGN degeneration following ES reported in some studies.…”