Quantitative study of lipofuscin accumulation in cochleae of patients with presbycusis

ABSTRACT

Presbycusis is a major disability for the elderly. Its mechanisms are little known. Presbycusis is accompanied by accumulation of lipofuscin which is considered a reliable, well visualized marker. In this study, the areas occupied by lipofuscin in the three segments of spiral ganglion of the cochlea from subjects with presbycusis, were quantified. The greater accumulation in the anterior basal segment was found, compared to the posterior basal [junction of basal and middle turns] and upper segments. This may be due to greater functional and metabolic activity in the anterior basal segment. Indeed, the basal segment of the cochlea is exposed to all vibrations, whereas the apical segment is exposed to low frequencies only. The increase of lipofuscin in the basal segment indicates that the process of aging might be accelerated in this segment in comparison to other segments