Cochlear synaptopathy in hearing loss due to retrolabyrinthine pathology

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K10741
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: NOGUCHI Naoya 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 非常勤講師 (20333792)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 香取 幸夫 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (20261620) ; 川瀬 哲明 東北大学, 医工学研究科, 教授 (50169728)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 難聴 / Hidden Hearing Loss / マスキング / 音響性聴覚障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, we examined (1) cochlear nerve pathology in guinea pigs with hearing loss due to kanamycin ototoxity, (2) pathologic masking function in mouse model of sound induced hearing loss and (3) the possible involvement of cochlear synaptopathy in clinical cases after the recovery from acute unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and in those with unilateral tinnitus. Consequently, the following results were obtained; i.e., a) it is suggested that cochlear synaptopathy could be involved in several types of hearing loss other than the sound-induced hearing loss and age-related deafness (those have been already well-known to cause cochlear synaptopathy), b) the deterioration of masking and loudness functions would be a good indicator to diagnose the possible involvement of cochlear synaptopathy in actual clinical cases.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

従来報告されている音響性聴覚障害、加齢性聴覚障害以外の難聴病理にも蝸牛神経シナプス病理の関与が示唆されることを示したこと、また、蝸牛神経シナプス病理の臨床診断法について提言を行うことができたこと