title: Progress and prospects in human genetic research into age-related hearing impairment.
abstract: Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) is a complex, multifactorial disorder that is attributable to confounding intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The degree of impairment shows substantial variation between individuals, as is also observed in the senescence of other functions. This individual variation would seem to refute the stereotypical view that hearing deterioration with age is inevitable and may indicate that there is ample scope for preventive intervention. Genetic predisposition could account for a sizable proportion of interindividual variation. Over the past decade or so, tremendous progress has been made through research into the genetics of various forms of hearing impairment, including ARHI and our knowledge of the complex mechanisms of auditory function has increased substantially. Here, we give an overview of recent investigations aimed at identifying the genetic risk factors involved in ARHI and of what we currently know about its pathophysiology. This review is divided into the following sections: (i) genes causing monogenic hearing impairment with phenotypic similarities to ARHI; (ii) genes involved in oxidative stress, biologic stress responses, and mitochondrial dysfunction; and (iii) candidate genes for senescence, other geriatric diseases, and neurodegeneration. Progress and prospects in genetic research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan ; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi 474-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasue
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3731-3890
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi 474-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Saiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Michihiko
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7380-610X
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sone
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakashima
mesh_terms: D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000235:genetics; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics*; D011304:Presbycusis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors