Neurotrophins reportedly improve hearing outcomes when used in combination with cochlear implants, as they promote the survival of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and stimulate SGN neurite outgrowth in animal models of sensorineural hearing loss. However, their applicability to human patients remains unknown....
No actionable change for current cochlear implant practice; neurotrophin adjunct therapy remains experimental with no approved clinical delivery method, and this review is preclinical in focus.
If neurotrophin delivery can be safely integrated with cochlear implantation, it could meaningfully improve hearing nerve survival and long-term implant outcomes.
- 01Neurotrophins promote spiral ganglion neuron survival and neurite growth, critical for cochlear implant performance.
- 02Current review focuses on clinical applicability, but delivery methods remain largely experimental.
- 03No approved neurotrophin-based therapy for cochlear implantation currently exists.
- 04Key challenges include safe local delivery and maintaining therapeutic concentrations in the cochlea.
- 05Findings point toward drug-eluting electrode coatings and osmotic pumps as potential delivery strategies.
Neurotrophins promote spiral ganglion neuron survival and neurite growth in the context of cochlear implantation.
studysupportedNeurotrophins have clinical applicability as adjuncts to cochlear implantation.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42056012
- DOI
- 10.7874/jao.2025.00857.
- Journal
- Journal of Audiology & Otology
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Preclinical and clinical studies on cochlear implant recipients and animal models
- Intervention
- Neurotrophin administration as adjunct to cochlear implantation
Primary outcomes
Spiral ganglion neuron survival; Neurite growth; Cochlear implant performance outcomes