A
Anonymous
Guest
Good news for us with hearing loss.
Something new on the not so distant horizon for hearing loss. By flipping on a gene that's normally active only during embryonic development hearing can be restored. This new finding may lead to treatments for millions of people with acquired hearing loss. Permanent damage to the sensitive hair cells by aging, disease, certain medications, and even loud sounds are the most common costs of acquiring hearing loss in people. Auditory hair cells found deep inside the inner ear are used to detect sounds. When sound waves reach them, the cells hairlike projections sway with the vibrations and transmit electrical signals to the brains auditory center. The only biological way to induce recovery is by generating new hair cells. The gene is normally expressed during normal embryonic development in cells destined to become hair cells. Once hair cell growth is complete in an embryo the gene shuts off permanently. Animal tests are now nearly finished and human studies will begin. This is truly remarkable. In a very few years this could lead to a treatment for hearing loss. By eliminating the gene that normally stops embryonic development of hair cells researchers caused the hair cells to continue being produced even after birth so there are now two treatments that are possible in the near future. Right now two different groups are tweaking their techniques to perfect the newfound hearing, which they described as a cure most forms of human hearing loss.
So if we can now grow hair deep inside the inner ear, why can't we grow hair on our heads? Is that so difficult?
I think I will go reserve a place in line...
And you, Monte with an e, heard it here first on the MXT forum! We can be just as scientific as them other guys.
PA. Doc
Something new on the not so distant horizon for hearing loss. By flipping on a gene that's normally active only during embryonic development hearing can be restored. This new finding may lead to treatments for millions of people with acquired hearing loss. Permanent damage to the sensitive hair cells by aging, disease, certain medications, and even loud sounds are the most common costs of acquiring hearing loss in people. Auditory hair cells found deep inside the inner ear are used to detect sounds. When sound waves reach them, the cells hairlike projections sway with the vibrations and transmit electrical signals to the brains auditory center. The only biological way to induce recovery is by generating new hair cells. The gene is normally expressed during normal embryonic development in cells destined to become hair cells. Once hair cell growth is complete in an embryo the gene shuts off permanently. Animal tests are now nearly finished and human studies will begin. This is truly remarkable. In a very few years this could lead to a treatment for hearing loss. By eliminating the gene that normally stops embryonic development of hair cells researchers caused the hair cells to continue being produced even after birth so there are now two treatments that are possible in the near future. Right now two different groups are tweaking their techniques to perfect the newfound hearing, which they described as a cure most forms of human hearing loss.
So if we can now grow hair deep inside the inner ear, why can't we grow hair on our heads? Is that so difficult?
I think I will go reserve a place in line...
And you, Monte with an e, heard it here first on the MXT forum! We can be just as scientific as them other guys.
PA. Doc