Scientists discover secrets of age-related hearing loss

21 July 2005

Scientists have found that a cluster of genetic mutations accelerate the series of cell deaths that lead to the symptoms of ageing - including hearing loss.

According to a team of scientists led by University of Wisconsin-Madison geneticist Tomas A. Prolla, growing old occurs, in part, as mutations build up in the DNA of energy-generating mitochondria, triggering the death of critical cells that lead to such things as hair and weight loss, hearing and vision impairment, loss of muscle mass, weakened bones and fewer circulating red blood cells.

Mitochondria are structures within cells that provide energy for cells to move, divide, contract and secrete products vital for the health of organisms.

"We think that the key to what is happening in ageing is that as (genetic) mutations or DNA damage accumulates, critical cells die," says Prolla. "These experiments favour a major role for programmed cell death in ageing."

Scientists are hopeful that such knowledge can lead to ways to restore loss of hearing by protecting the DNA of the mitochondria from the genetical mutations.

Such insight could also lead to strategies to restore some functions such as hearing by protecting mitochondrial DNA from naturally occurring mutations.

 University of Wisconsin-Madison press release
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