Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found a link between inner-ear dysfunction and hyperactivity.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found a link between inner-ear dysfunction and hyperactivity. According to the study, sensory impairment can induce specific molecular changes in the brain that cause maladaptive behaviors. The findings were published in the online edition of Science.
The study was conducted in mice and revealed increased levels of two proteins involved in a signaling pathway that controls the action of neurotransmitters. The researchers hypothesized that inner-ear defects cause abnormal functioning of the striatum, a central brain area that controls movement. According to the researchers, the findings suggest that hyperactivity in children with inner-ear disorders might be controllable with medications that directly or indirectly inhibit the pERK pathway in the striatum.
To read more about the study, click here.
