Journal article
Challenges for stem cells to functionally repair the damaged auditory nerve
K Needham, RL Minter, RK Shepherd, BA Nayagam
Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy | Published : 2013
Abstract
Introduction: In the auditory system, a specialized subset of sensory neurons are responsible for correctly relaying precise pitch and temporal cues to the brain. In individuals with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing impairment these sensory auditory neurons can be directly stimulated by a cochlear implant, which restores sound input to the brainstem after the loss of hair cells. This neural prosthesis therefore depends on a residual population of functional neurons in order to function effectively. Areas covered: In severe cases of sensorineural hearing loss where the numbers of auditory neurons are significantly depleted, the benefits derived from a cochlear implant may be minimal. ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
B Nayagam is supported by a National Health & Medical Research Council Australian-Based Biomedical Research Fellowship. Aspects of the experimental data presented were supported by Project Grants from the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, the University of Melbourne Department of Otolaryngology, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and the William Buckland Foundation (ANZ Charitable Trusts). R Shepherd is supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (USA) HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C. The Bionics Institute acknowledges the support it receives from the Victorian government through its Operational Infrastructure Support Program. None of the authors have any competing interests to disclose and no funding was received in support of the manuscript.