Implantation of the PVA implant for periods of up to 24 months produced no evidence of local or systemic toxicity. Additional studies are now needed to determine the efficacy of the device in its intended application.

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Morphological changes in the vestibular nerves and superior vestibulocular neurons (SVON) after unilateral labyrinthectomy in cats revealed a progressive loss of axons in the ipsilateral vestibular nerve (35%) and synaptic profiles (SP) on ipsilateral SVON (60%) up to a 1-year survival period. Although the ipsilateral vestibular nerve showed further degeneration (45%) at 2 years post ablation, the number of SP on ipsilateral SVON increased to 60% of normal (40% loss). These SP likely represent sprouting from crossing commissural or cerebellar pathways. Contralateral vestibular nerves at 1 and 2 years post ablation revealed normal numbers and size spectrum, but the number of SP contacting the contralateral SVON at 8 weeks, 1 and 2 years paralleled the levels of SP found on ipsilateral SVON. The symmetry in adjustment of SP on the SVON of both sides of the brainstem after ablation may be explained by the neurotrophin hypothesis.

Vestibulo-ocular (VO) neurons in the superior vestibular nucleus were labeled retrogradely with horseradish peroxidase and studied quantitatively using electron microscopy to determine the morphologic correlates of vestibular compensation. Eleven VO neurons from three normal cats were compared to 26 VO neurons in four animals killed 8 weeks after vestibular neurectomy and 13 VO cells from two animals killed 1 year after vestibular neurectomy. The results demonstrated a marked reduction (74%) in the number of synaptic profiles (SPs) on the VO cell soma in both experimental groups. Synaptic vesicles in the remaining SPs on VO neurons were fewer, smaller, and rounder than vesicles in control animals. The residual SPs also were associated with more asymmetric synapses. The experimental VO neuron showed a significant decrease in soma and organelles associated with protein synthesis.

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