Journal article
Novel drug delivery systems for inner ear protection and regeneration after hearing loss
RT Richardson, AK Wise, JK Andrew, SJ O'Leary
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery | Published : 2008
Abstract
Background: A cochlear implant, the only current treatment for restoring auditory perception after severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), works by electrically stimulating spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). However, gradual degeneration of SGNs associated with SNHL can compromise the efficacy of the device. Objective: To review novel drug delivery systems for preserving and/or regenerating sensory cells in the cochlea after SNHL. Methods: The effectiveness of traditional cochlear drug delivery systems is compared to newer techniques such as cell, polymer and gene transfer technologies. Special requirements for local drug delivery to the cochlea are discussed, such as protecting r..
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Awarded by John T. Reid Charitable Trusts
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the funding institutions, mentioned in the declaration of interest below, which are associated with research discussed in this review. Figure 2 was prepared by H Eastwood.Declaration of interestR Richardson has received support from the Stavros S Niarchos Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts, Royal National Institute for Deaf People, Pierce Armstrong Foundation and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electro-materials Science. A Wise has received support from the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation and the National Institute of Health Contract HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C. J Andrew has received support from the University of Melbourne, Department of Otolaryngology, Living Cells Technologies Ltd, and an NHMRC Dora Lush Scholarship. S O'Leary has received support from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the University of Melbourne, Department of Otolaryngology.