A: Western blot analysis reveals that at 6 weeks of age, a time at which approximately 40% of OC fibers remain and are still actively degenerating, NCAM expression is significantly upregulated by approximately 50% over the level of the wild type age-matched control (p=0.0171). At 15 weeks, a time at which degenerative processes are complete, NCAM expression appears slightly lower that wild type age-matched samples, but no statistically significant difference was detected. Histogram is relevant for the 140kDa NCAM isoform (the major isoform expressed in the cochlear lysate).