Unipolar Brush Cells

[ChrisBoyMonkey]

There is a researcher out there that I haven't really seen discussed but certainly deserves a lot more of attention.

Dr. Timothy Balmer is one of the few scientists investigating possible sources of tinnitus, and I believe he is getting close. His current work is primarily revolving around the Unipolar Brush Cell, which has been a cell somewhat overlooked by researchers over the years. He has found that they play a huge role in vestibular disorders as they can be found in the vestibular cerebellum. They are also found in the dorsal cochlear nucleus, where he suspects they also play a huge role into disorders related to that area: tinnitus.

He is currently in the phase of investigation through mice, but if his suspicions are correct he just might be on the verge of finding a (the?) root cause. A little sidenote to add: he has tinnitus himself.

Here is some information on his current work, I'm sure it will make a fine short read:
http://grantome.com/grant/NIH/K99-DC016905-01A1

 

[ajc]

This research isn't yet even in preclinical stage. At best, any findings of this is 15 years away from being on the market.

Sad but true.

 

[ChrisBoyMonkey]

This research isn't yet even in preclinical stage. At best, any findings of this is 15 years away from being on the market.

Sad but true.

Not necessarily. Right now, he is in the research phase, but looking back at it he has been moving fairly quickly. He may keep up this same pace, and may even get exceptional funding and support if it turns out he is right about the UBCs.

 

[Silvio Sabo]

This research isn't yet even in preclinical stage. At best, any findings of this is 15 years away from being on the market.

Sad but true.

True but still important.

Not necessarily. Right now, he is in the research phase, but looking back at it he has been moving fairly quickly. He may keep up this same pace, and may even get exceptional funding and support if it turns out he is right about the UBCs.

To be honest there is nothing in the area of treatment that I could read about in his research. So talking about anything being marketed at all as of now is just dreaming. But nonetheless the research into the root cause of tinnitus is very important and we should not be so narrow sighted as to only investing in research that promises a cure within 5-10 years and that so far has failed every single time. We should of course do both.

 

[razo]

Regarding chemistry I guess for the tinnitus to persist there either has to be a) an excess of exitory neurotransmitters or b) a deficit of inhibitory neurotransmitters somewhere in the brain. It seems four factors determine the level of neurotransmitters: 1) amount of neurotransmitter produced, 2) amount of neurotransmitter received at postsynapse, 3) activity of reuptake pump and 4) amount of degradative enzyme in the synapse gap. I guess this is general to all types nerve cells..

 

[ChrisBoyMonkey]

To be honest there is nothing in the area of treatment that I could read about in his research. So talking about anything being marketed at all as of now is just dreaming. But nonetheless the research into the root cause of tinnitus is very important and we should not be so narrow sighted as to only investing in research that promises a cure within 5-10 years and that so far has failed every single time. We should of course do both.

Originally I made no mention of treatment. Because you guys brought it up, I gave you my two cents.

I'm saying be happy for the research and hopeful good will come of it. The findings can add to other treatments in the work or identify what would be an effective treatment. Or it might be nothing. You don't know and neither do I, hence why this is in the thread "Research News".

 

[ChrisBoyMonkey]

I see we are in agreement that he should continue his research. He has already found these cells in the vestibular cerebellum and has good reason to believe they are doing the same in the dorsal cochlear nucleus. He could really be on the verge of a breakthrough in understanding this condition.

He also appears to already be able to modulate these cells in mice from what I was reading. So in terms of treatment, upon confirmation that these cells indeed are responsible or play a large role in tinnitus, he would just have to carry the over the information, probably starting with confirming that this indeed is the same in humans. When that is done, then he can start looking at his own treatment options, or contributing his work into existing treatment research.

Here's a little more info on the researcher:
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/erg/balmer

P.S.: Hearing Health Foundation is doing a fundraising event right now. I already donated, I'm hoping everyone that can does. I added "to end tinnitus!" in the comments.