Fetal gene therapy and pharmacotherapy to treat congenital hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction.

ABSTRACT: Disabling hearing loss is expected to affect over 900 million people worldwide by 2050. The World Health Organization estimates that the annual economic impact of hearing loss globally is US$ 750 billion. The inability to hear may complicate effective interpersonal communication and negatively impact personal and professional relationships. Recent advances in the genetic diagnosis of inner ear disease have keenly focused attention on strategies to restore hearing and balance in individuals with defined gene mutations. Mouse models of human hearing loss serve as the primary approach to test gene therapies and pharmacotherapies. The goal of this review is to articulate the rationale for fetal gene therapy and pharmacotherapy to treat congenital hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction. The di

SUBMITTER: Hastings ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7906278 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature