Association of Age-Related Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline Using a Mouse Model

Lillia Berninzoni

Teacher: Dr. Nicole Rosen

Mentor: Dr. Amanda Lauer

Supervisor: Sergio Vicencio

Johns Hopkins Center for Hearing and Balance

Many individuals suffer from cognitive decline and dementia as a result of aging, the impacts of which are detrimental to daily life. Those with dementia can have trouble in social interaction, memory, and ability to do everyday tasks. Another condition found in the elderly is age-related hearing loss, which shares many of the same symptoms. This correlation has recently caused scientists to take a closer look at the relationship between cognitive impairment and hearing loss with age. The auditory efferent pathway is an area of the brain that remains understudied, despite its essential role in processing sound. It is made of descending neural projections from the auditory cortex to the olivocochlear bundle and surrounding structures in the brainstem. Its main function is in protecting the auditory system against noise and sound detection in noisy environments. This study analyzes data from behavioral tests in mice with hyper functional dysfunctional efferent systems with the goal of learning more about the auditory efferent system and its effects on cognitive ability. The results of this study could contribute to our understanding of the efferent pathway and the overall relationship of hearing loss and cognition. Further research is needed to determine the exact nature of this relationship and how it can be used in treatment.