Cranial Nerve Dysfunction in Conscious Galactosemic Rats as Measured by the Auditory-Evoked Brainstem Response

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to extend our previous work with the auditory-evoked brainstem response and determine whether galactosemia would produce a functional neuropathy similar to that previously seen in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats implanted with cortical electrodes received either normal chow (n = 17) or a 50% galactose diet (n = 17) for 5 weeks. Peak II latency of the auditory-evoked brainstem response, interpreted as a functional measure of the auditory nerve (VIII cranial) in rats, was significantly prolonged in galactose-fed rats relative to controls (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate a functional deficit in the auditory nerves of galactosemic rats. The deficit in the auditory-evoked brainstem response of galactosemic rats is similar to our previous finding in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.