The drug that could end tinnitus
The Daily Mail has revealed today that a drug pump which is implanted in the ear is the latest approach for tackling tinnitus. It works by releasing a powerful new medicine that calms the overactive nerves thought to cause the condition.
It is estimated that about 15million people in the UK experience tinnitus at some time. For 10 to 15 per cent of sufferers, the condition is so loud and debilitating it affects sleeping and concentration. It has also been linked to depression and anxiety.
The new therapy, developed by U.S.-based company NeuroSystec, uses a drug known as NST-001.
This is thought to block the production of excessive glutamate, in turn reducing this rogue nerve firing. Researchers claim it may even result in the elimination of tinnitus.
Animal research found that when the drug was put into the ear, it cut the sounds of tinnitus. And in a small pilot study on human volunteers in Germany, the majority of patients given the drug reported a significant reduction of tinnitus.
When the treatment ended, the condition returned to previous levels. A new trial is under way at the Hospital Avicenne in France with 24 patients.
Because of the need for continual treatment, scientists are focusing on developing a fully implanted drug pump.
Read more at the Daily Mail.
Comments
I'm not sure how you can tell if an animal is suffering from tinnitus during these drug trials.
Posted by: Claire | January 14, 2010 03:23 PM
I suffer with tinnitus in my right ear all the time. I mostly get by. But I have had terrible moments a few times. But I wouldn't be jumping for this, because this is going in the ear, which I'm cautious about. Am I at risk losing hearing with this procedure?
Posted by: Liz | January 14, 2010 06:28 PM
The requirements below narrows it down to a smaller group, but I hope it's a start:
- Severe tinnitus in one ear that began no more one year ago.
- Ear to be treated must be deaf or have profound hearing loss
Posted by: Marie | January 18, 2010 10:17 PM