Potential drug treatment for noise-induced hearing loss
By ANIThursday, July 1, 2010
WASHINGTON - Kiwi researchers have discovered that a potent new drug restores hearing after noise-induced hearing loss in rats.
Researchers from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, found that injection of an agent called ‘ADAC’ activates adenosine receptors in cochlear tissues, resulting in recovery of hearing function.
The finding paves the way for effective non-surgical therapies to restore hearing loss after noise-induced injury.
Dr. Srdjan Vlajkovic and his team’s work is published in a special edition of Springer’s journal Purinergic Signalling, focusing on the inner ear.
The authors conclude: “This study underpins an important role of adenosine signaling in mitigation of cochlear injury caused by oxidative stress. ADAC in particular emerges as an attractive pharmacological agent for therapeutic interventions in noise-induced cochlear injury in instances of both acute and extended noise exposures.” (ANI)
