Age-related hearing loss: prevention of threshold declines, cell loss and apoptosis in spiral ganglion neurons

• DOI: 10.18632/aging.101045
• Publication Date: 2016-09-23T16:56:09Z
• Authors: Robert D. Frisina; Bo Ding; Xiaoxia Zhu; Joseph P. Walton
• Keywords: Spiral ganglion; Presbycusis

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) -presbycusis - is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease and number one communication disorder of our aged population; affects hundreds millions people worldwide. Its prevalence close to that cardiovascular arthritis, can be a precursor dementia. The auditory perceptual dysfunction well understood, but knowledge biological bases ARHL still somewhat lacking. Surprisingly, there are no FDA-approved drugs for treatment. Based on previous studies human subjects, where we discovered relations between serum aldosterone levels severity ARHL, treated middle age mice with aldosterone, which normally declines in all mammals. We found thresholds suprathreshold responses significantly improved aldosterone-treated compared non-treatment group. In terms cellular molecular mechanisms underlying this therapeutic effect, additional experiments revealed spiral ganglion cell survival was improved, mineralocorticoid receptors were upregulated via post-translational protein modifications, age-related intrinsic extrinsic apoptotic pathways blocked by therapy. Taken together, these novel findings pave way translational drug development towards first medication prevent progression ARHL.