Functional Polymorphism of and as Potential Biomarker of Auditory Neuroplasticity in Prelingual Deafness Treatment With Cochlear Implantation-A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Genetic biomarkers of neuroplasticity in deaf children treated with cochlear implantation (CI) might facilitate their clinical management, especially giving them better chances of developing proficient spoken language. We investigated whether carrying certain variants of the genes encoding matrix metalloproteinase and neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (), involved in synaptic plasticity, can be taken as prognostic markers of how well auditory skills might be acquired. Association analysis of functional rs3918242 and rs6265 variants and the child's auditory development measured at CI activation and 1, 5, 9, 14, and 24 months post CI activation with LittlEARS Questionnaire (LEAQ) was conducted in a group of 100 children diagnosed with DFNB1-related deafness, unilaterally implanted before the age of 2 years. Statistical analysis in the subgroup implanted after 1 year of life ( = 53) showed significant association between rs3918242 and LEAQ scores at 1 month ( = .01), at 5 months ( = .01), at 9 months ( = .01), and at 24 months ( = .01) after CI activation. No significant associations in the subgroup implanted before 1 year of life were observed. No significant associations between the rs6265 and LEAQ score were found. Multiple regression analysis ( = .73) in the subgroup implanted after 1 year of life revealed that rs3918242 was a significant predictor of treatment outcome. In conclusion, C/C rs3918242 predisposes their deaf carriers to better CI outcomes, especially when implanted after the first birthday, than carriers of C/T rs3918242