Research at the Kim Lab involves exploring the effect of noise-induced hearing loss and prolonged hearing loss on the central auditory pathway using a mouse model.
Neurofilaments (NFs) are heteropolymers made of three different subunits: light, medium, and heavy (NFL, NFM and NFH, respectively). These subunits assemble into 10 nm filaments that compose the main part of the axonal cytoskeleton. Mutations in NFL are thought to disrupt NF assembly and axonal transport, which results in the accumulations of NFs leading to axonal degeneration. Recently, a knock-in mouse model bearing the N98S mutation has been generated. The NeflN98S/+ mouse model is used to test potential treatments for hearing loss caused by the disruption of NF assembly.
Principal Investigator
- Ana Kim, MD
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery at CUMC
Lab Members
- Hunki Paek, PhD
Associate Research Scientist
Selected Publications
- Dean C, Mattiace L, Sollas A, Kim AH. Specific targeting of retrocochlear auditory pathway for optimal pharmacotherapy delivery using a mouse model. Otol Neurotol. 2012;33(6):1085-91. PMID: 22772010
- Kim AH, Nahm EA, Sollas A, et al. Connexin 43 (Cx43) and Hearing:Possible Implications for Retrocochlear Auditory Processing. Laryngoscope. 2013;123(12):3185-93. PMID: 23817980
- Chen L, Dean C, Nahm E, Gandolfi M, Mattiace L, Kim AH. Protective Effects of Dexamethsone Against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in the Retrocochlear Auditory Centers. Otol Head and Neck Surg. 2014 Oct;151(4):667-74. PMID: 25113508