Correlation of Cochlear Blood Supply with Mitochondrial DNA Common Deletion in Presbyacusis

Abstract

The high incidence of the mtDNA4977 deletion in the temporal bones of presbyacusis patients suggests a correlation between the mtDNA4977 deletion and presbyacusis. Hypoxia of the cochlea may cause the mtDNA4977 deletion and other mtDNA mutants and furthermore may cause a reduction in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and decreased function of the acoustic neural system. The symptoms of presbyacusis may occur when the function of the acoustic neural system is impaired as a result of abnormal mtDNA metabolism reaching a particular threshold.