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Otosclerosis is caused by abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, which blocks sound waves from reaching the inner ear. University of Antwerp scientists found that many people with otosclerosis had a specific variant in a gene called TGBF1, BBC News reported.

The finding was presented at a European Society of Human Genetics conference, where the researchers also said that a more active variant of TGBF1 actually helped protect against otosclerosis.

This is a significant finding, Vivienne Michael, chief executive of Deafness Research UK, told BBC News.

"At the moment the most common treatment is surgery, but this finding opens the door to alternative therapies which would prevent or slow the abnormal bone growth that causes the condition," Michael said. – (HealthDayNews)

June 2007
 

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