Mouse Study Sheds Light on Hearing Loss in Aging
Humans
10/17/10
FRIDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) -- New insight into how
different types of age-related hearing loss may occur could help
lead to the development of drugs to preserve hearing, scientists
say.
The team at the University of Minnesota Medical School looked at
how two closely related genes affect hearing in mice. Mutations in
these genes are associated with deafness in humans, they noted.
The study, published online Oct. 14 in
PLoS Genetics, found that proteins produced by the genes play a key role in two important processes that are required to maintain hearing in mice.
"These separate maintenance pathways are likely important for maintaining auditory function during aging and may contribute to future understanding of common forms of age-related hearing loss in humans," study author Ben Perrin said in a news release from the journal's publisher.
Because animal studies frequently fail to produce beneficial
results for humans, additional research is needed.
Funding for the study was supplied by the U.S. National
Institutes of Health.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about
hearing loss.
Copyright © 2010
HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.