Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 39 (1991) 217-223

An in vitro brainstem preparation preserving peripheral
auditory function

A. Hailey ¹, M.E. Rosenberg ¹ and A.H. Pullen ²

¹ Department of Physiology, The Medical College of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London ECIM 6BQ (UK)
and ² Sobell Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG (UK)

(Received 11 April 1991)
(Accepted 28 June 1991)

Key words: In vitro; Brainstem; Auditory; Horseradish peroxidase; Turtle

We describe an in vitro preparation of the brainstem and auditory periphery of the turtle. Properties of cochlear nucleus units recorded from this preparation are consistent with studies of both behavioural responses and auditory nerve fibre activity. A modified preparation for in vitro HRP tracing is also described.