Frontiers in Genetics (Sep 2017)

Genetics of Tinnitus: Time to Biobank Phantom Sounds

  • Christopher R. Cederroth,
  • Anna K. Kähler,
  • Patrick F. Sullivan,
  • Patrick F. Sullivan,
  • Patrick F. Sullivan,
  • Jose A. Lopez-Escamez,
  • Jose A. Lopez-Escamez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2017.00110
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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Tinnitus is a common phantom sensation resulting most often from sensory deprivation, and for which little knowledge on the molecular mechanisms exists. While the existing evidence for a genetic influence on the condition has been until now sparse and underpowered, recent data suggest that specific forms of tinnitus have a strong genetic component revealing that not all tinnitus percepts are alike, at least in how they are genetically driven. These new findings pave the way for a better understanding on how phantom sensations are molecularly driven and call for international biobanking efforts.

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