Redox Imbalance as a Common Pathogenic Factor Linking Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Otolaryngology
• Pathology

Background:

• Hearing perception relies on cognitive processes, and hearing loss is a risk factor for cognitive decline.
• Identifying shared causes of hearing loss and neurodegenerative diseases is crucial.
• Oxidative stress is implicated in cochlear damage and neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore redox status imbalance as a common pathological mechanism linking hearing and cognitive dysfunction.
• To review experimental evidence supporting the role of redox imbalance in sensorineural hearing loss and neurodegeneration.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of experimental and clinical data.
• Focus on oxidative stress mechanisms in the cochlea and brain.

Main Results:

• Redox imbalance, characterized by oxidative stress, is a key factor in age-related and noise-induced cochlear damage.
• Increased oxidative stress in brain regions like the hippocampus is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders.
• Antioxidant therapies show promise for preventing and treating both sensory and cognitive neurodegeneration.

Conclusions:

• Redox imbalance is a significant pathogenetic factor connecting sensorineural hearing loss and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Understanding shared pathophysiological mechanisms can lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
• Antioxidant interventions represent a promising avenue for managing these interconnected conditions.