Neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NrCAM) is expressed by sensory cells in the cochlea and is necessary for proper cochlear innervation and sensory domain patterning during development

Background In the cochlea, auditory development depends on precise patterns of innervation by afferent and efferent nerve fibers, as well as a stereotyped arrangement of hair and supporting cells. NrCAM is a homophilic cell adhesion molecule that controls diverse aspects of nervous system development, but the function of NrCAM in cochlear development is not well understood.