Wavelet transform of single-trial vestibular short-latency evoked potential reveals temporary reduction in signal detectability and temporal precision following noise exposure

The vestibular short-latency evoked potential (VsEP) reflects the activity of irregular vestibular afferents and their target neurons in the brain stem. Attenuation of trial-averaged VsEP waveforms is widely accepted as an indicator of vestibular dysfunction, however, more quantitative analyses of VsEP waveforms could reveal underlying neural properties of VsEP waveforms. Here, we present a time-frequency analysis of the VsEP with a wavelet transform on a single-trial basis, which allows us to examine trial-by-trial variability in the strength of VsEP waves as well as their temporal coherence across trials. Using this method, we examined changes in the VsEP following 110 dB SPL noise exposure in rats. We found detectability of head jerks based on the power of wavelet transform coefficients was significantly reduced 1 day after noise exposure but recovered nearly to pre-exposure level in 3 - 7 days and completely by 28 days after exposure. Temporal coherence of VsEP waves across trials was also significantly reduced on 1 day after exposure but recovered with a similar time course. Additionally, we found a significant reduction in the number of calretinin-positive calyces in the sacculi collected 28 days after noise exposure. Furthermore, the number of calretinin-positive calyces was significantly correlated with the degree of reduction in temporal coherence and/or signal detectability of the smallest-amplitude jerks. This new analysis of the VsEP provides more quantitative descriptions of noise-induced changes as well as new insights into potential mechanisms underlying noise-induced vestibular dysfunction. Significance StatementOur study presents a new method of VsEP quantification using wavelet transform on a single-trial basis. It also describes a novel approach to determine the stimulus threshold of the VsEP based on signal-detection theory and Rayleigh statistics. The present analysis could also be applied to analysis of auditory brain stem response (ABR). Thus, it has the potential to provide new insights into the physiological properties that underlie peripheral vestibular and auditory dysfunction.