Age-related hearing loss affects about 25 to 30 percent of people age 65 and older. Previous research has suggested that age-related hearing loss may be heritable, but few studies have investigated the genetic factors. Now, for the first time, research reports the discovery of genes on chromosome 3 that are associated with hereditary hearing loss.
The study, published in Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, investigated whether any chromosomal regions were linked to age-related hearing loss. Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, analyzed the data of 711 pairs of elderly male fraternal twins with hearing loss, born from 1917 to 1927. Health history questionnaires and genome screenings were obtained from the participants.
Researchers found genes linked to age-related hearing loss on chromosome 3q, at the DFNA18 gene locus (location). The researchers believe that the same locus may be responsible for early-onset hearing loss However, more research will be needed to determine which gene contributes to age-related hearing loss and early-onset hearing loss.
"To our knowledge, this is the first sample from the general population that has been used in a genome screening for qualitative hearing loss," the study authors write. "The results, if confirmed, suggest that genetic variation in the region of DFNA18 may be responsible for hearing loss with age in the general population."
REFERENCES:
1. Garringer HJ et al. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 May;132(5):506-510.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 26, 2006 02:40 PM
