Published in:
21-10-2023 | Alzheimer's Disease | Original Article
Age-related hearing loss is not linked to cerebrospinal fluid levels of β-amyloid or p-tau181
Authors:
Francisco Martínez-Dubarbie, David Lobo, María Rollán-Martínez-Herrera, Sara López-García, Carmen Lage, Marta Fernández-Matarrubia, Ana Pozueta-Cantudo, María García-Martínez, Andrea Corrales-Pardo, María Bravo, Ramón Cobo, Daniel Cabieces-Juncal, Marcos López-Hoyos, Juan Irure-Ventura, Pascual Sánchez-Juan, Eloy Rodríguez-Rodríguez
Published in:
Neurological Sciences
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Issue 4/2024
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Abstract
Introduction
As Hearing loss and dementia affect people with the same profile, several epidemiological studies have evaluated their relationship. However, the link between age-related hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease is still unclear.
Methods
We selected subjects with no history of exposure to loud noises, blasts, head trauma with hearing loss, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss from a cohort intended to study preclinical phases of Alzheimer’s disease. Participants are volunteers over 55 years without cognitive impairment. We correlated the results of an objective auditory evaluation with brain amyloid and p-tau181 levels and with the outcomes of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.
Results
Fifty-five subjects at different stages of the Alzheimer's disease continuum were evaluated. There were no statistically significant correlations between amyloid-β and p-tau levels and any of the objective auditory measures. A weak but significant correlation was found between amyloid-β values and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly. The neuropsychological domains more correlated to hearing loss were executive function and processing speed.
Discussion
Age-related hearing loss is not linked to any pathological markers of Alzheimer's disease nor to neuropsychological domains typically affected in this disease. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly has an important component of subjectivity and further studies are needed to explore its relationship with amyloid-β levels.