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Genetic architecture distinguishes tinnitus from hearing loss

Author

Listed:
  • Royce E. Clifford

    (Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Research Service
    University of California San Diego, Division of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery)

  • Adam X. Maihofer

    (Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Research Service
    University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry)

  • Chris Chatzinakos

    (Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry
    Center of Excellence in Depression and Anxiety Disorders)

  • Jonathan R. I. Coleman

    (King’s College London, NIHR Maudsley BRC
    Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience)

  • Nikolaos P. Daskalakis

    (Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry
    Center of Excellence in Depression and Anxiety Disorders)

  • Marianna Gasperi

    (Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Research Service
    University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry)

  • Kelleigh Hogan

    (Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Research Service
    University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry)

  • Elizabeth A. Mikita

    (Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Research Service
    University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry)

  • Murray B. Stein

    (University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry
    Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Psychiatry Service
    University of California San Diego, School of Public Health)

  • Catherine Tcheandjieu

    (VA Palo Alto Health Care System)

  • Francesca Telese

    (University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry)

  • Yanning Zuo

    (University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry)

  • Allen F. Ryan

    (Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Research Service
    University of California San Diego, Division of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery)

  • Caroline M. Nievergelt

    (Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Research Service
    University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry)

Abstract

Tinnitus is a heritable, highly prevalent auditory disorder treated by multiple medical specialties. Previous GWAS indicated high genetic correlations between tinnitus and hearing loss, with little indication of differentiating signals. We present a GWAS meta-analysis, triple previous sample sizes, and expand to non-European ancestries. GWAS in 596,905 Million Veteran Program subjects identified 39 tinnitus loci, and identified genes related to neuronal synapses and cochlear structural support. Applying state-of-the-art analytic tools, we confirm a large number of shared variants, but also a distinct genetic architecture of tinnitus, with higher polygenicity and large proportion of variants not shared with hearing difficulty. Tissue-expression analysis for tinnitus infers broad enrichment across most brain tissues, in contrast to hearing difficulty. Finally, tinnitus is not only correlated with hearing loss, but also with a spectrum of psychiatric disorders, providing potential new avenues for treatment. This study establishes tinnitus as a distinct disorder separate from hearing difficulties.

Suggested Citation

  • Royce E. Clifford & Adam X. Maihofer & Chris Chatzinakos & Jonathan R. I. Coleman & Nikolaos P. Daskalakis & Marianna Gasperi & Kelleigh Hogan & Elizabeth A. Mikita & Murray B. Stein & Catherine Tchea, 2024. "Genetic architecture distinguishes tinnitus from hearing loss," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-44842-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44842-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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