Health
Hearing loss could be reversed with popular erectile dysfunction drug
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Researchers may have discovered a way to reverse one type of hearing loss.
A new study found that hearing loss caused by mutations in a certain gene at birth may be reversed by a common supplement along with the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil).
Researchers identified mutations in a gene known as CPD — which produces the enzyme carboxypeptidase D — among three unrelated families from Turkey in which multiple people were born deaf.
SCIENTISTS MAY HAVE DISCOVERED FIRST GENE THERAPY FOR INCURABLE BRAIN DISEASE
These families all had a form of inherited sensorineural hearing loss, a condition caused by damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals sent to the brain, according to the National Institutes of Health.
To better understand the link, the scientists compared the genetic data of affected and unaffected relatives within these families. They then expanded their analysis to other groups.
A new study found that hearing loss caused by mutations in a certain gene at birth may be reversed by a common supplement along with the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. (iStock)
“We subsequently found that CPD mutations are present in people with hearing loss in a large genome sequencing cohort from England,” study author Dr. Mustafa Tekin, professor of human genetics and chair of Department of Human Genetics at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
Lab and animal tests
After turning the CPD gene “off” in human cells in laboratory tests, the researchers noted reduced levels of three substances: arginine (an amino acid), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP, an important signaling molecule) and nitric oxide, which provides vital signals to the nervous system.
‘SELECTIVE HEARING’ ISN’T A CHOICE, SCIENTISTS REVEAL — IT’S A REAL NEUROLOGICAL PROCESS
Although the study began with humans, the reversal experiments were also carried out in mice and fruit flies.
When nitric oxide and cGMP levels were low, the hair cells in the mice’s inner ears — which transmit sound signals to the brain — became overstressed and eventually died.
The authors emphasized that they are not proposing Viagra as a hearing loss treatment. (Alex Segre/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
In fruit flies, researchers found that silencing the equivalent of the CPD gene led to defects in the organ that helps them detect sound and stay balanced.
But when the researchers administered arginine to human cells, nitric oxide levels returned to normal, resulting in fewer cells dying.
They also found that Viagra, which acts on the nitric oxide pathway, reversed some of the deficits caused by CPD mutations, Tekin added.
ALZHEIMER’S PILL COULD REDUCE BRAIN DECLINE IN SOME HIGH-RISK PATIENTS, TRIAL SUGGESTS
These findings suggest that nitric oxide deficiency in the cochlea — the part of the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into nerve signals — may be a key driver of hearing loss. The CPD gene appears to regulate this process by maintaining proper arginine and nitric oxide levels in hair cells, which are essential for healthy signal transmission and protection against noise-related damage.
“Nitric oxide is vital for many tissues and must be kept in a fine balance,” Tekin said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The authors emphasized, however, that they are not proposing Viagra as a hearing loss treatment.
“We used it to strengthen the argument that nitric oxide deficiency in the ear was the underlying cause of deafness,” Tekin noted.
Experts urge caution
Outside experts also warned of an important adverse side effect of Viagra.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
The medication has been associated with rare but serious cases of sudden hearing loss as well as irreversible tinnitus, underscoring the need for caution, Dr. Nooshin Parhizkar, an ENT physician practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area, told Fox News Digital.
“At this stage, it is not appropriate or safe for the general public to use Viagra for hearing issues,” she added.
Although scientists have identified more than 200 genes linked to hearing loss, commercial genetic screening tests may only focus on the most common mutations. (iStock)
The hearing loss is usually temporary and reversible after stopping the medication, research has shown.
The Food and Drug Administration added a warning label to Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors about the possible risk of sudden hearing loss after rare reports among those who used the same class of medication.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
It’s unclear whether this side effect is directly caused by the PDE5 inhibitors, as the affected patients may have other medical issues or could be taking other medications that could have led to the hearing loss, according to experts.
Study limitations
The study focused on a very small, genetically defined group of patients, so it is unlikely to apply to most of the population, Parhizkar pointed out.
“At this stage, it is not appropriate or safe for the general public to use Viagra for hearing issues.”
As the research also focused on reversing hearing loss in mice and flies, more studies are needed to evaluate treatment in humans.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“It is important to get a genetic test done to find the cause of hearing loss,” Tekin advised.
Although scientists have identified more than 200 genes linked to hearing loss, commercial genetic screening tests may only focus on the most common mutations.
Fox News Digital reached out to the maker of Viagra for comment.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27.
In a post on Substack titled “The Day I’ll Never Remember,” she detailed a sudden episode that left her unable to recall the current month, year and president.
“I thought it was 2024. And I believed Joe Biden was president,” she wrote.
ONE WALKING HABIT COULD SIGNAL A HEALTHIER BRAIN AFTER 80, SCIENTISTS SAY
The event occurred while Couric was attending the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, during which she participated in two public panels — one on AI and one on journalism — both of which she cannot remember at all.
“I have no idea what we talked about, or of what occurred when the panels ended,” she said.
Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27. (Getty Images)
John Molner — Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels — also shared his account.
After the event, someone told Molner that Katie wasn’t feeling well. When he reached her, an EMT and a doctor were tending to her. “I could tell something was off,” he wrote. “It could have been altitude sickness, but Katie was definitely not all there.”
WOMAN WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER’S REGAINED SPEECH AND MEMORIES AFTER TAKING MAGIC MUSHROOMS
At the hospital, when Couric struggled to recall the year, the president and her grandchildren’s names, doctors began checking for a stroke.
An MRI revealed no signs of stroke, which was a relief, but “Katie’s ‘fog’ became a lot more apparent,” Molner wrote.
John Molner, Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels, also shared his account. (Getty Images)
“She repeatedly asked me the same questions: ‘What was I doing before we got to the hospital?’ ‘Why am I at the hospital?’”
Couric was ultimately diagnosed with transient global amnesia, a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that prevents a person from forming new memories and may also erase some recent memories, according to Mayo Clinic.
“The cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself.”
It is not caused by a stroke, seizure or head injury, and it usually resolves completely within 24 hours.
“[It’s] just a very weird neural episode that’s pretty uncommon and, at least in most cases, is a ‘one and done’ experience,” Molner said.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Couric said she finally began feeling “like herself” again around 9 p.m. and went to sleep at 2 a.m.
As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.”
As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.” (Getty Images)
Data shows that approximately three to eight people per 100,000 will have an episode of transient global amnesia, with people 50 years of age and older at higher risk.
The specific cause of TGA is not known, but some experts believe it stems from a “temporary dysfunction in the brain’s hippocampus — the area responsible for creating new memories,” Couric shared.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Doctors believe this is driven by brief interruptions in blood or oxygen flow, or microscopic spasm in the blood vessels.”
Episodes could potentially be triggered by intense physical exertion, emotional distress, extreme temperature changes or migraines, experts say.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Approximately 15% of patients will have a recurrence 10 years later.
“Why did this happen to me? Was the altitude an issue? Was I dehydrated? Tired? Stressed? The literature doesn’t seem to indicate that these are contributing factors, but the cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself,” Couric wrote.
Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise. (iStock)
“All I know is that those hours will be forever lost. Someone described it as my brain failing to hit the ‘record button.’”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“While this was a freaky occurrence, it could have been much more serious. So ultimately, I’m relieved — even though several hours of a Saturday in June will always be missing for me.”
Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.
That’s according to a recent study led by Stony Brook Medicine in New York, which evaluated the cognitive function of 4,000 adults 80 and over who participated in multiple aging and longevity studies over several years.
Among this group, 6% to 10% were classified as super movers, which means they walk at a much faster pace than others of the same age and gender — at speeds comparable to people three decades younger.
COMMON VITAMIN MAY INFLUENCE BRAIN AGING IN WAYS SCIENTISTS DIDN’T EXPECT
The super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed.
The findings were published in the journal Neurology on June 16.
Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers. (iStock)
“The study reinforces that mobility and brain health are closely connected,” lead study author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, neurologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital. “This suggests that preserving mobility may be an important marker of healthy brain aging and resilience.”
‘LONGEVITY GENE’ MAY PROTECT THE BRAIN FROM ALZHEIMER’S BY BOOSTING DNA REPAIR, STUDY FINDS
The most intriguing finding, according to Verghese, was that super movers maintained cognitive function despite having similar dementia-related brain changes as their peers.
In postmortem brain analysis, there was no difference in dementia-related pathologies between the super movers and the slower walkers, the study stated.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that help preserve brain function even in the presence of age-related changes,” he said. “Understanding these resilience factors could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy brain aging.”
As the study was observational, there were some limitations, and it does not prove that walking faster prevents dementia, the researchers noted.
Super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed. (iStock)
“Other factors, such as cardiovascular health, physical fitness or genetics, may also contribute to both faster walking and better cognitive outcomes,” Verghese said.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
This study adds to growing evidence that what’s good for the heart and muscles also benefits the brain, he noted, adding that “staying physically active remains one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging.”
“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment.”
“The broader message is that physical activity is important at any age,” Verghese said. “Walking is an easy step-up point because you don’t need any special equipment. You can do it inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a regular basis. You can walk with a dog, you can walk with a friend.”
Any activity is beneficial if it’s done regularly and with the right intensity, he added.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Rather than just trying to walk faster, the neurologist recommends that seniors focus on maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, strength training, balance exercises and good cardiovascular health.
“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment,” Verghese noted.
Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking.
Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking. (iStock)
This can be achieved by walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or about 20 to 25 minutes most days. Another option is to engage in shorter sessions that add up over the day.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“You have to do it within your health limitations and medical conditions,” Verghese advised. “So if there are any medical concerns, I would get your physician to clear you before starting exercise.” The good thing about walking, he added, is that you can start at a slow pace and then gradually build up to a brisker pace.
“And then adding on strength and balance training, whatever age you are, I think is also important.”
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
-
Georgia2 minutes agoCo-owner of Yurezz Home Center in Greeneville arrested in Georgia
-
Hawaii9 minutes agoHawai‘i Fire Department responds to brush fire in North Kona | Big Island Now
-
Idaho12 minutes agoIdaho man bit by rattlesnake in Northern California recovering
-
Illinois17 minutes agoCash App parent company agrees to $45 million settlement with Illinois, 44 other states
-
Indiana24 minutes agoIndiana sees significant drop in number of homeless veterans
-
Iowa27 minutes agoIowa High School Looking To Consolidate In More Sports After Canceling Football Season
-
Kansas32 minutes agoKansas Basketball Makes the Cut for 5-Star SF Demarcus Henry
-
Kentucky39 minutes agoCyclospora parasite cases in Kentucky, health officials warn
