The mammalian cochlea is innervated predominantly by type I sensory neurons, but also present are the far less numerous type II neurons, the function of which has been the subject of much speculation. Studies of type II fibres now show that they receive excitatory glutamatergic synaptic input and that they are depolarized by exogenous ATP. These results prove that type II neurons function as cochlear afferents, and can be modulated by ATP.
- Catherine Weisz
- Elisabeth Glowatzki
- Paul Fuchs
