Research Abstract:
Functional decline of the nervous system is a cardinal feature of normal aging. One well-documented functional decline of the nervous system is age-related hearing loss (presbycusis). The third most prevalent condition among the elderly, presbycusis results from the combined effects of intrinsic aging of peripheral and central auditory systems. The exact molecular mechanisms underlying presbycusis are unknown. In our laboratory, we are exploring molecular mechanisms underlying presbycusis, particularly whether we can delay presbycusis by enhancing synaptic connections between hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. We are also testing various potential drugs able to delay presbycusis. In addition, we are developing stem cell therapies for age-related hearing loss.
Selected Publications:
Shen H, Zhang B, Shin J, Lei D, Du Y, Gao X, Dai C, Ohlemiller K, and Bao J. Prophylactic and therapeutic functions of T-type calcium channel blockers on noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing Research 2007 226:52-60.
Han M, Schottler F, Lei D, Dong E, and Bao J. Bcl-2 over-expression fails to prevent age-related loss of calretinin positive neurons in the dentate gyrus. Molecular Neurodegeneration 2006 1:1-9.
Liu J, Shin J, Hyrc K, Liu S, Lei D, Holley MC, and Bao J. Stem cell therapy for hearing loss: Math1 over-expression in VOT/E36 cells. Otology and Neurotology 2006 27:416-423.
Bao J, Lei D, Du Y, Ohlemiller K, Beaudet A, and Role L. Requirement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit beta2 in the maintenance of spiral ganglion neurons during aging. J Neurosci 2005 25:3041-3045.
Bao J, Lin H, Quyang Y, Lei D, Osman A, Kim T, Mei L, Dai P, Ohlemiller KK, Ambron RT. Activity-dependent up-regulation of PSD-95 by Neuregulin-1 and Eos. Nature Neurosci 2004 7:1250-1258.
Last Updated: 08/31/2009 |