Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University ›› 2025, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (6): 31-39.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1673-3770.0.2024.242

• Original Article • Previous Articles    

Preliminary study on neurotransmitter levels in the anterior cingulate cortex and their relationship with hearing levels in patients with age-related hearing loss

TAO Duoduo1, SHI Bin1, ZHAO Yunshu2, LI Yonggang2, LIU Jisheng1   

  1. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Suzhou Clinical Medical Center for Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery;
    2. Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China
  • Published:2025-11-19

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Abstract: Objective This study aims to explore whether ARHL is related to the ACC from the perspective of neurotransmitter levels, thereby providing experimental evidence for understanding the mechanisms of ARHL. Methods The study included 8 ARHL patients, 8 age-matched, gender-matched normal hearing(NH)elderly individuals were recruited as the control group. Pure-tone audiometry was used to assess the hearing levels of all subjects at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)was employed to measure γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)and glutamine-glutamate(Glx)levels in the ACC of both groups. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS v27.0. Results Compared to the NH group, the ARHL group showed significantly lower GABA levels(P=0.021)and significantly higher Glx levels(P<0.001). GABA levels were significantly negatively correlated with 8 kHz pure-tone thresholds(P=0.014), and Glx levels were significantly positively correlated with pure-tone thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz(all P<0.05). Conclusion Neurotransmitter dysregulation in the ACC of ARHL patients is associated with the degree and frequency of hearing loss, which may provide a theoretical basis for future research on the mechanisms underlying ARHL.

Key words: Age-related hearing loss, Anterior cingulate cortex, γ-aminobutyric acid, Glutamate-glutamine, Hearing level

CLC Number: 

  • R764.43+6
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