CNS Infections Effect on the Inner Ear

Aims and objectives:

The present proposal aims to improve the outcome from central nervous system infections (CNS) by improving the understanding of when and why patients develop hearing loss and other neurological sequelae. The investigators will elucidate the temporal development and restitution of a sensorineural hearing loss and will clarify if any therapeutic window exists, where sequelae can be limited.

Also the investigators will investigate if communication between cochlea and cerebrospinal fluid is a window to the intracranial pressure.

Background:

CNS infections remain diseases with high mortality and morbidity. Among survivors from bacterial meningitis, 30 % suffer hearing loss or deafness arising from injury to the inner ear - the cochlea. From previous work it is known that brain inflammation, brain edema and subsequent pressure changes can be transduced to the inner ear due to communication between the cochlea and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).