Using Zebrafish to Correlate Hair-Cell Activity with Ototoxin Resistance

Hair cells, the sensory cells of the auditory system, are acutely susceptible to ototoxins including the live-saving antibiotic neomycin. This work uses larval zebrafish to explore the contribution of hair-cell presynaptic activity to metabolic stress that ultimately influences hair-cell neomycin susceptibility. We find that hair-cell vesicle exocytosis may be the most significant contributor to metabolic stress that may weaken hair cells. This work brings us closer to developing therapies to prevent hearing loss.