EU project identifies genes responsible for deafness
To mark world deafness day on 1 September, the Commission is highlighting the results of an EU funded project which identified the genes responsible for deafness. The 'hereditary deafness' project received 2.12 million euro under the Quality of Life section of the Fifth Framework Programme. The main objective of the project was to increase understanding of the hearing process and identify the genetic determinants of deafness. Commenting on the current situation in Europe, Philippe Busquin, European Research Commissioner, highlighted the importance of investing in research into the different aspects of deafness: 'The number of patients suffering from such hearing impairments is growing due to increased noise pollution and an ageing population. So far, aside from hearing aids, there is no remedy for deafness,' he said. 'Developing new therapies requires the best researchers from different countries and disciplines to work together in order to improve our knowledge on the hearing process and to identify the causes leading to deafness. This is precisely what the EU is making happen through its research programmes,' added the Commissioner. In Europe, over 22 million people have some kind of hearing impairment and of these some three million cannot hear any sound below 80 to 100 decibels. Hearing impairment not only leads to social and medical problems such as depression, but it is also one of the most costly disabilities. It is estimated that 78 million euro is spent each year on patients with a hearing impairment, which is higher than the combined costs of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal injury, strokes and Parkinson's disease. Figures also show that more than 50 per cent of all hearing impairments have a genetic origin. In light of this, scientists in the project consortium concentrated on identifying and isolating genes thought to be linked to human deafness so that molecular diagnostic tests, associated with a detailed clinical description of the different gene defect, could be developed. They located a defect in no less than 18 of the 36 genes, known to be associated with deafness. One of these genes, 'connexin 26', was found to be responsible for more than 30 per cent of deafness cases in Europe. Thanks to their findings, the scientists have been able to glean a better understanding of hearing, particularly with regard to the effect of defective genes on the likelihood of hearing being impaired by environmental factors. Using mouse and zebrafish models for human deafness, the project consortium has also successfully developed a set of new diagnostic tools and therapies for treating hearing impairments. In addition to the ten million euro that has already been invested over the last seven years in deafness related research, the Commission has also allocated funding to deafness research under the Sixth Framework programme. It is hoped that the combination of political commitment and scientific excellence will provide a complete picture of this important health problem.
Kraje
Spain, France, Israel, United Kingdom