Treatment of hearing impairments
OwnerWei-Qiang Gaoinventor
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Abstract
Compositions and methods are provided for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a mammal for hearing impairments involving neuronal damage, loss, or degeneration, preferably of spinal ganglion neurons, by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a trkB or trkC agonist, particularly a neurotrophin, more preferably NT-4/5. Also provided are improved compositions and methods for treatments requiring administration of a pharmaceutical having an ototoxic side-effect, wherein the improvement includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a trkB or trkC agonist to treat the ototoxicity.
Claims34
A method for treating damage to spiral ganglion neurons, comprising exposing the neurons to a therapeutically effective amount of a trkB or trkC agonist.
A method for preventing damage to spiral ganglion neurons, comprising exposing the neurons to a therapeutically effective amount of a trkB or trkC agonist before exposing the spiral ganglion neurons to a factor capable of damaging the neurons.
A method of treatment, comprising:
- administering a chemotherapeutic drug;
- and
- admininistering a therapeutically effective amount of a trkB or trkC agonist so that hearing impairment induced by the chemotherapeutic agent is reduced, wherein the chemotherapeutic drug is known to cause hearing impairment.
A method of treatment, comprising:
- administering an aminoglycoside;
- and
- admininistering a therapeutically effective amount of a trkB or trkC agonist so that hearing impairment induced by the aminoglycoside is reduced, wherein the aminoglycoside is known to cause hearing impairment.
A method for reducing the ototoxic effect of an ototoxic agent in a mammal, comprising exposing neurons in the mammal to a thereupeutically effective amount of a trkB or trkC agonist, wherein the ototoxic effect results from neuronal damage in the mammal.
A kit for the treatment of hearing impairment in a mammal comprising:
- a trkB or trkC agonist;
- and
- instructions for administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective dose of the trkB or trkC agonist if the mammal suffers from hearing impairment caused by an ototoxic agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.