Tinnitus cure a step closer

Tinnitus is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound. Tinnitus is not itself a disease but a symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes. Causes include ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the ear, nose allergies that prevent (or induce) fluid drain and cause wax build-up, and injury from loud noises. Tinnitus is also a side-effect of some oral medications, such as aspirin and may also result from an abnormally low level of serotonin activity. Recent studies have shown that hearing loss can go hand-in-hand with over-excitable nerves within brain areas that process sound.This raises the hope of treatment by silencing nerve activity. In the latest study, researchers at the University of Western Australia studied what was happening inside the brain and found increased activity in nerves in the auditory brainstem where sounds are processed. This was linked to changes in the genes involved in regulating the activity of the nerve cells. For treatment to occur, it is necessary and crucial to identify the genes associated with the spontaneous nerve activity. It will then be possible to synthesize drugs to treat the condition. This is one mroe example of the importance of understanding the genome and utilizing gene therapy to alleviate otherwise incurable diseases.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7959785.stm