Xiaoxi Liu

Abstract

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a prevalent communication problem among senior citizens. Previous work (Tadros et al., 2008) has revealed genes which change their expression significantly with aging and hearing loss. However, this study is limited as it mainly focuses on apoptosis-related genes. Genes that regulate biological pathways other than apoptosis might also contribute to the development of age-related hearing loss, as suggested by some studies (Tadros et al., 2007; Souza et al., 2008). In order to circumvent this limitation and to better understand the underlying mechanisms of this communication problem, a free computational tool called Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) is used to analyze the microarray data of aging cochlea and brain. Results show that most of the pathways which are up-regulated with aging/hearing loss in cochlea play a role in apoptosis and/or inflammation, suggesting that these two processes might be crucial for the development of ARHL. In contrast to the results from the cochlea, results for the aging brain indicate that cell cycle arrest is involved in deficits in the central auditory system with age.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Presbycusis--Etiology; Labyrinth (Ear)--Diseases; Cochlea--Diseases; Auditory pathways--Diseases; Apoptosis; Genetics

Publication Date

1-7-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences (COS)

Advisor

Haake, Anne

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: RF291.5.A35 L48 2011

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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