Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a major cause of disability worldwide, characterized by irreversible damage to cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. Current treatments such as hearing aids and cochlear implants do not restore biological function....
No actionable change — this is a pre-clinical mechanistic review; no human therapeutic applications are ready for clinical use.
Ferroptosis is an emerging cell-death pathway in sensorineural hearing loss that could open new pharmacological avenues for cochlear protection if translational research matures.
- 01Review covers ferroptosis mechanisms in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons.
- 02Iron-driven oxidative cell death is proposed as a key contributor to sensorineural hearing loss.
- 03Several potential therapeutic targets (e.g., GPX4, ferrostatin-1 analogues) are discussed.
- 04Evidence is currently limited to animal and in-vitro models — no human trials reported.
- 05Authors outline translational gaps that must be bridged before clinical application.
Ferroptosis contributes to cochlear hair cell and spiral ganglion neuron death in sensorineural hearing loss.
studypartially supportedTargeting ferroptosis pathways represents a potential therapeutic strategy for sensorineural hearing loss.
opinionunclear- PMID
- 42147853
- DOI
- 10.3389/fneur.2026.1763297.
- Journal
- Frontiers in Neurology
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Pre-clinical models (cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons); no human subjects
- Intervention
- Ferroptosis inhibition / therapeutic targeting of iron-mediated cell death pathways
Primary outcomes
Characterisation of ferroptosis mechanisms in inner ear cells; Identification of therapeutic targets for sensorineural hearing loss