Hair Cells Regeneration Research Shows There Might Be a Cure for Hearing Loss

Researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital successfully regenerated auditory hair cells in adult mice, raising hope for a future hearing loss treatment. (Cell Reports. 2017;19[2]:307.) Auditory hair cells regenerate in fish and chicken but not humans, and that's where Jian Zuo,PhD, of St. Jude's department of developmental neurobiology and his team looked for answers. "The process involves down-regulating expression of the protein p27 and up-regulating the expression of the protein ATOH 1," Zuo said. "So we tried the same approach in specially bred adult mice." By manipulating these genes, Zuo and his colleagues induced supporting cells in the inner ear of adult mice to take on the appearance of immature hair cells and begin producing some of the signature proteins of hair cells.

They also identified the genetic pathway for hair cell regeneration and how proteins in that pathway, including GATA3, POUAF3, p27, and ATOH1, cooperate to foster the process. ATOH1 is a transcription factor necessary for hair cell development, but this gene is switched off in humans before birth. Zuo said, "This study suggests that targeting p27, GATA3, and POU4F3 may enhance the outcome of gene therapy and other approaches that aim to restart ATOH1 expression. Work will continue to identify other factors, including small molecules, necessary to promote the maturation and survival of the newly generated hair cells as well as increase their number, according to Zuo. 

Published: 4/14/2017 11:04:00 AM

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2piQ7PF
via IFTTT

Hair Cells Regeneration Research Shows There Might Be a Cure for Hearing Loss

Researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital successfully regenerated auditory hair cells in adult mice, raising hope for a future hearing loss treatment. (Cell Reports. 2017;19[2]:307.) Auditory hair cells regenerate in fish and chicken but not humans, and that's where Jian Zuo,PhD, of St. Jude's department of developmental neurobiology and his team looked for answers. "The process involves down-regulating expression of the protein p27 and up-regulating the expression of the protein ATOH 1," Zuo said. "So we tried the same approach in specially bred adult mice." By manipulating these genes, Zuo and his colleagues induced supporting cells in the inner ear of adult mice to take on the appearance of immature hair cells and begin producing some of the signature proteins of hair cells.

They also identified the genetic pathway for hair cell regeneration and how proteins in that pathway, including GATA3, POUAF3, p27, and ATOH1, cooperate to foster the process. ATOH1 is a transcription factor necessary for hair cell development, but this gene is switched off in humans before birth. Zuo said, "This study suggests that targeting p27, GATA3, and POU4F3 may enhance the outcome of gene therapy and other approaches that aim to restart ATOH1 expression. Work will continue to identify other factors, including small molecules, necessary to promote the maturation and survival of the newly generated hair cells as well as increase their number, according to Zuo. 

Published: 4/14/2017 11:04:00 AM

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2piQ7PF
via IFTTT

Sports-Related Concussions and Vestibular Symptoms

The annual estimate for sports-related concussions in the United States is between 1.6 and 3.8 million cases. Concussions produce a variety of symptoms with a headache as the top complaint. Other common complaints include auditory-vestibular symptoms, such as dizziness, tinnitus, and sound sensitivity.  Recently, Chorney et al. (2017) examined rates of audiovestibular symptoms following sports-related concussions among college athletes. Data were acquired from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System (ISS). 

Tweet

from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2pfr1Ee
via IFTTT

In Vivo Interplay between p27(Kip1), GATA3, ATOH1, and POU4F3 Converts Non-sensory Cells to Hair Cells in Adult Mice.

Related Articles

In Vivo Interplay between p27(Kip1), GATA3, ATOH1, and POU4F3 Converts Non-sensory Cells to Hair Cells in Adult Mice.

Cell Rep. 2017 Apr 11;19(2):307-320

Authors: Walters BJ, Coak E, Dearman J, Bailey G, Yamashita T, Kuo B, Zuo J

Abstract
Hearing loss is widespread and persistent because mature mammalian auditory hair cells (HCs) are nonregenerative. In mice, the ability to regenerate HCs from surrounding supporting cells (SCs) declines abruptly after postnatal maturation. We find that combining p27(Kip1) deletion with ectopic ATOH1 expression surmounts this age-related decline, leading to conversion of SCs to HCs in mature mouse cochleae and after noise damage. p27(Kip1) deletion, independent of canonical effects on Rb-family proteins, upregulated GATA3, a co-factor for ATOH1 that is lost from SCs with age. Co-activation of GATA3 or POU4F3 and ATOH1 promoted conversion of SCs to HCs in adult mice. Activation of POU4F3 alone also converted mature SCs to HCs in vivo. These data illuminate a genetic pathway that initiates auditory HC regeneration and suggest p27(Kip1), GATA3, and POU4F3 as additional therapeutic targets for ATOH1-mediated HC regeneration.

PMID: 28402854 [PubMed - in process]

from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2oeEMhX
via IFTTT

Impairments of balance, stepping reactions and gait in people with cervical dystonia

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 55
Author(s): Christopher Barr, Rhiannon Barnard, Lauren Edwards, Sheila Lennon, Lynley Bradnam
BackgroundImpaired balance is common in neurological disorders. Cervical dystonia is a neurological movement disorder affecting the neck. The effect of this aberrant head posture on physical function is unknown.ObjectivesTo compare balance, mobility, gait and stepping reactions between ten people with cervical dystonia and ten control adults.MethodsSpatiotemporal gait parameters and walking speed were assessed using a computerised walkway. Step length and time, time in double support and gait variability were calculated, then normalised to gait speed. Centre of pressure path length was assessed with eyes open and eyes closed to calculate a Romberg Quotient. Simple and choice reaction times were measured using customised apparatus while mobility was assessed by the timed up and go. Cervical spine range of motion was measured using a head mounted goniometer. Self-reported scales included Falls Self Efficacy Scale and Dystonia Discomfort Scale.ResultsThere was a difference between groups for most outcome measures. The timed up-and-go and walking speed was slower (both P<0.005) and the Romberg Quotient lower (P=0.046) in cervical dystonia. People with cervical dystonia had lower falls self-efficacy (P=0.0002). Reduced cervical range of motion was correlated with balance, stepping reaction time and mobility (all P<0.05). Timed up and go was positively associated with stepping reaction time (P<0.01). Dystonia discomfort did not impact function.ConclusionsPeople with cervical dystonia displayed deficits in balance, gait and stepping reactions, and expressed higher fear of falling. Studies to further elucidate functional limitations and their impact on activity and participation in daily life are required.



from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2oGmpq9
via IFTTT

Impairments of balance, stepping reactions and gait in people with cervical dystonia

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 55
Author(s): Christopher Barr, Rhiannon Barnard, Lauren Edwards, Sheila Lennon, Lynley Bradnam
BackgroundImpaired balance is common in neurological disorders. Cervical dystonia is a neurological movement disorder affecting the neck. The effect of this aberrant head posture on physical function is unknown.ObjectivesTo compare balance, mobility, gait and stepping reactions between ten people with cervical dystonia and ten control adults.MethodsSpatiotemporal gait parameters and walking speed were assessed using a computerised walkway. Step length and time, time in double support and gait variability were calculated, then normalised to gait speed. Centre of pressure path length was assessed with eyes open and eyes closed to calculate a Romberg Quotient. Simple and choice reaction times were measured using customised apparatus while mobility was assessed by the timed up and go. Cervical spine range of motion was measured using a head mounted goniometer. Self-reported scales included Falls Self Efficacy Scale and Dystonia Discomfort Scale.ResultsThere was a difference between groups for most outcome measures. The timed up-and-go and walking speed was slower (both P<0.005) and the Romberg Quotient lower (P=0.046) in cervical dystonia. People with cervical dystonia had lower falls self-efficacy (P=0.0002). Reduced cervical range of motion was correlated with balance, stepping reaction time and mobility (all P<0.05). Timed up and go was positively associated with stepping reaction time (P<0.01). Dystonia discomfort did not impact function.ConclusionsPeople with cervical dystonia displayed deficits in balance, gait and stepping reactions, and expressed higher fear of falling. Studies to further elucidate functional limitations and their impact on activity and participation in daily life are required.



from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2oGmpq9
via IFTTT

Impairments of balance, stepping reactions and gait in people with cervical dystonia

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 55
Author(s): Christopher Barr, Rhiannon Barnard, Lauren Edwards, Sheila Lennon, Lynley Bradnam
BackgroundImpaired balance is common in neurological disorders. Cervical dystonia is a neurological movement disorder affecting the neck. The effect of this aberrant head posture on physical function is unknown.ObjectivesTo compare balance, mobility, gait and stepping reactions between ten people with cervical dystonia and ten control adults.MethodsSpatiotemporal gait parameters and walking speed were assessed using a computerised walkway. Step length and time, time in double support and gait variability were calculated, then normalised to gait speed. Centre of pressure path length was assessed with eyes open and eyes closed to calculate a Romberg Quotient. Simple and choice reaction times were measured using customised apparatus while mobility was assessed by the timed up and go. Cervical spine range of motion was measured using a head mounted goniometer. Self-reported scales included Falls Self Efficacy Scale and Dystonia Discomfort Scale.ResultsThere was a difference between groups for most outcome measures. The timed up-and-go and walking speed was slower (both P<0.005) and the Romberg Quotient lower (P=0.046) in cervical dystonia. People with cervical dystonia had lower falls self-efficacy (P=0.0002). Reduced cervical range of motion was correlated with balance, stepping reaction time and mobility (all P<0.05). Timed up and go was positively associated with stepping reaction time (P<0.01). Dystonia discomfort did not impact function.ConclusionsPeople with cervical dystonia displayed deficits in balance, gait and stepping reactions, and expressed higher fear of falling. Studies to further elucidate functional limitations and their impact on activity and participation in daily life are required.



from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2oGmpq9
via IFTTT