Neurodegenerative Pathways Involved in Age Related and Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Review
Session Title
Biological Science Research
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Faculty Mentor
LaShardai Brown, Ph.D.
Abstract
Hearing loss is one of the most common diseases associated with aging, both in the United States and across the world.Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs due to damage of the inner cochlear organs or cochlear nerve, whereas age related hearing loss (ARHL), also known as presbycusis, is a neurodegenerative result of aging. Several cellular changes occur in both forms including hair cell loss, death of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) as well as changes to the lateral wall.Cochlear implants are often used to treat symptoms of both type of hearing loss. However, hearing aids are only effective when a certain percentage of cells are still active. Therefore, newer therapies focus on inhibiting inflammatory pathways and the prevention of degeneration due to the molecular pathways associated with hearing loss. The NFkB pathway and complement pathway play a critical role in age related and neurodegenerative diseases, exacerbating and driving cellular death of auditory cells and thus provide insight into a common disease with no currently known cure. A synthetic reading of current literature suggests the role of these signaling networks in hearing loss and the advancement of inflammation and cellular degeneration, as it relates to ARHL.
Honors Thesis Committee
LaShardai Brown, Ph.D.; Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D.; Daniel Stovall, Ph.D.; Courtney Guenther, Ph.D.
Course Assignment
HONR 450H - Brown & 451H – Lipscomb
Type of Presentation
Oral presentation
Neurodegenerative Pathways Involved in Age Related and Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Review
Hearing loss is one of the most common diseases associated with aging, both in the United States and across the world.Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs due to damage of the inner cochlear organs or cochlear nerve, whereas age related hearing loss (ARHL), also known as presbycusis, is a neurodegenerative result of aging. Several cellular changes occur in both forms including hair cell loss, death of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) as well as changes to the lateral wall.Cochlear implants are often used to treat symptoms of both type of hearing loss. However, hearing aids are only effective when a certain percentage of cells are still active. Therefore, newer therapies focus on inhibiting inflammatory pathways and the prevention of degeneration due to the molecular pathways associated with hearing loss. The NFkB pathway and complement pathway play a critical role in age related and neurodegenerative diseases, exacerbating and driving cellular death of auditory cells and thus provide insight into a common disease with no currently known cure. A synthetic reading of current literature suggests the role of these signaling networks in hearing loss and the advancement of inflammation and cellular degeneration, as it relates to ARHL.
