Hearing Loss Gene

Researchers believe they’ve figured out the genetic reason most people loss hearing as they age. Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute say the finding could lead to new therapies to prevent or treat the condition. Details are in the American Journal of Human Genetics. Team leader Ulrich Mueller, A professor in the Department of Cell Biology, says the team has linked a previously uncharacterized gene to deafness (Loxhd1) in mice and then in humans. This is the third hearing-related gene that the Mueller lab has discovered. The lab is looking into the possibility that a therapeutic drug could be effective in reversing the problems that result from the defective gene.