Syndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness Flashcards
What are some things that can reduce the risk of birth defects?
Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, which helps prevents conditions like spina bifida
Stay up-to-date on immunizations
Get regular medical checkups and know the family medical history
Avoid tobacco, including second-hand smoke
Avoid drugs and alcohol
Prevent insect bites
What is the most common sensory deficit in humans?
Hearing loss
Is the prevalence of hearing loss lower in women than men?
Yes
Is hearing loss less prevalent in black people vs white people?
Yes
T/F: A large number of genes essential for normal hearing function have been identified
True
1% of the human genome or ~ 300 genes are associated with normal hearing
How many syndromes are known to include hearing impairment?
Over 400
What is hearing loss caused by?
Both genetic and environmental factors
Acting independently and together
Complex or multifactorial inheritance
What is gene mapping?
Identification of the approximate or exact location of a gene on a chromosome
The street address of the gene on the chromosome
What is gene cloning?
The production of exact copies (clones) of a particular gene or DNA sequence using genetic engineering techniques
DNA extracted from an organism contains all of its thousands of different genes
The genetic engineer must find the one specific gene that encodes the specific protein of interest
How are nonsyndromic loci named?
They are named according to their inheritance patterns
What are modifier genes?
Modifier genes can affect the phenotypic outcome of a given genotype by interacting in the same or in a parallel biological pathway as the disease gene
These modifier genes can modulate expressivity (severity), penetrance, age of onset, progression of a disease, or pleiotropy (two or more seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits) in individuals with Mendelian traits
What is homeostasis?
It is the ability of an organism or a cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes
What is inner ear homeostasis?
The process by which chemical equilibrium of inner ear fluids and tissues is maintained
Is tight control on the ion movement across the cell membrane necessary for proper inner ear function?
Yes
What are the function of the inner ear?
Hair cell functions
Regulation of extracellular endolymph and perilymph
Conduction of nerve impulses
What are the major ions involved in inner ear homeostasis?
Sodium (NA+)
Potassium (K+)
What ions also play a significant role in inner ear homeostasis?
Chloride (Cl-)
Calcium (CA2+)
What is ion homeostasis controlled by?
Numerous ion channels and transporters in the plasma membrane of cells, especially cells lining the scala media
Are the ion channels of the inner ear regulated by various genes?
Yes
Are many disorders of cochlear hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction are caused by disruption of ion homeostasis?
Yes
The disruption of the strial ion transport mechanism is the final pathway common to many of these disorders
Genetic disorders associated with ion transport and pathways are often associated with permanent hearing loss
Disorders from other causes are often transient and may recover without treatment
What is the majority of non-syndromic hearing loss due to?
Alteration of proteins that prevent movement of K+ from the organ of corti to the lateral wall and into the stria
Can hearing loss result from both increased and decreased activity of the strial process?
Yes
What is increased K+ transport in the endolymph or increased endolymph production called?
Endolymphatic hydrops
What is decreased K+ transport in the endolymph or decreased endolymph production called?
Endolymphatic xerosis
Is endolymphatic xerosis caused by various genetic anomalies?
Yes
What is an example of endolymphatic xerosis?
Connexin 26 and KCNE1 and KCNQ1
What is connexin 26?
Gene mutation results in abnormal connexin gap junction proteins
Responsible by itself for 50 to 80% of all AR hearing loss
What is KCNE1 and KCNQ1?
These genes produce proteins that make up K+ channels on the apical stria
Their absence leads to reduced endolymph and associated hearing loss seen in Jervell-Lange-Nielsen syndrome
What are the different classifications for genetic deafness and hearing loss?
Chromosome disorders
External ear changes
Eye disease
Musculoskeletal disease
Renal disease
Cardiac system disease
Neurologic/neuromuscular system disease
Endocrine disorders
Metabolic disorders
Integumentary system disease
No associated physical or mental characteristics
What are additional classifications of deafness?
Congenital genetic group
Delayed onset genetic group
Congenital non-genetic group
Delayed onset non-genetic group
What does congenital mean?
Present at birth
What is cytogenetics?
A branch of genetics that studies structure and function of the cell, especially the chromosomes
Is hearing the lowest man on the totem pole when it comes to individuals with chromosomal abnormalities?
Yes
Often not the primary focus
Primary focus is survival
What trisomy’s can survive to term?
13, 18, 21, and X
What is another name for trisomy 13?
Patau syndrome
Is trisomy 13 rare?
Yes