年龄相关性听力损失与阿尔茨海默症的研究进展

Research Advances in Age-Related Hearing Loss and Alzheimer's Disease

随着人口的老龄化,年龄相关性听力损失(Age-Related Hearing Loss,ARHL)与阿尔茨海默症(Alzheimer’s Disease,AD)的发病率日益增长,严重影响老龄人口的健康水平与生活质量。近年来,越来越多的流行病学研究显示两种疾病间存在强烈的相关性。听觉功能障碍是AD可干预的危险因素,改善听觉功能的干预措施可能会降低老年人群患AD的风险。关于二者的相互作用机制目前已有几种假说,但其中的病理生理学基础尚不清楚,还需要更多的研究加以明晰,从而为ARHL与AD的预防及治疗提供新的理论依据。本文综合分析现有的研究进展,对ARHL与AD之间可能存在的因果联系以及改善听觉功能的干预治疗对于AD患者认知功能改善的情况进行综述,以期引起临床医师和科研工作者对于听觉功能下降引起认知功能障碍的重视,提高ARHL的治疗率,进而为AD的预防及早期诊治做出贡献。

As the population ages,the increasing incidence of Age-related Hearing Loss(ARHL)and Alzheimer's disease(AD)severely affect the healthy and quality of life of the aged.In recent years,a growing number of epidemiological studies have shown a significant correlation between these two diseases.As an preventable risk factor for AD,management of hearing dysfunction may reduce the risk of AD in older adults.Several hypotheses exist regarding the mechanisms of interaction between the two,although the pathophysiological basis remains unknown and more research is needed to clarify new rationales for the prevention and treatment of ARHL and AD.Based on existing studies,this article reviews the possible causal association between ARHL and AD and the effects of auditory intervention on the cognitive decline in AD,in order to draw the attention of clinicians and researchers to the cognitive dysfunction caused by hearing loss,and to improve treatment of ARHL,thus contributing to the prevention and early diagnosis of AD.