Researchers Cured Genetic Deafness In Mice
They Used Gene Therapy To Treat Mice Born Deaf
Total deafness in newborns has a genetic cause. The usual treatment is cochlear implants, but researchers are looking at genetic therapies as an alternative. With this treatment, deaf mice can hear as well as healthy mice. These mice had a gene responsible for deafness. The same gene causes between 2% to 8% of human deafness originated by genetics. It prevents a certain protein to perform its function, which is transmitting sound information collected by the fine hairs located in the inner ear. Researchers altered the mice’s genomes, permitting them to hear almost as well as the ones that were born without this protein. However, further testing is required to begin trials in humans. More info click here.
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