Cochlear Neurotrophin-3 overexpression at mid-life prevents age-related inner hair cell synaptopathy and slows age-related hearing loss.

ABSTRACT: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most prevalent sensory deficit in the elderly. This progressive pathology often has psychological and medical comorbidities, including social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline. Despite ARHL's enormous societal and economic impact, no therapies to prevent or slow its progression exist. Loss of synapses between inner hair cells (IHCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), a.k.a. IHC synaptopathy, is an early event in cochlear aging, preceding neuronal and hair cell loss. To determine if age-related IHC synaptopathy can be prevented, and if this impacts the time-course of ARHL, we tested the effects of cochlear overexpression of neurotrophin-3 (Ntf3) starting at middle age. We chose Ntf3 because this neurotrophin regulates the formation of IHC-S

SUBMITTER: Cassinotti LR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9577954 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature