DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for sensorineural hearing loss — screening already-approved drugs against its 54-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleSensorineural hearing loss maps to a 54-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for sensorineural hearing loss is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
C-terminal binding protein 2 (CTBP2) — CTBP2 is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
helix sheet naddrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 9WRI · 1.85 Å · ligand NICOTINAMIDE-ADENINE-DINUCLEOTIDE (NAD). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss remains poorly understood. A 2019 review notes that an underlying cause is identified in only 10–15% of cases, and the remaining idiopathic cases are treated empirically with systemic steroids, vasodilators, rheological agents, and antioxidants. The review states that outcomes are conflicting and conclusive evidence is lacking, so treatment protocols are based on consensus rather than proven efficacy.
Genetic causes account for half of all hearing loss, according to a 2005 review, but existing treatment devices do not correct the underlying pathology. A 2014 review reports that 70–100 genetic loci are linked to deafness, with most related genes and proteins involved in signal transduction pathways in outer hair cells, the site for receiving sound. Some of these genes can deter hair cell development or accelerate aging.
A 2021 study of 35 patients with unilateral mild sensorineural hearing loss found that after one month of hearing aid use, scores on the Speech, Space and Hearing Quality questionnaire were significantly higher than before. Bilateral hearing recovery gave significantly higher scores than unilateral recovery for speech in silence, speech in noise, sound localisation, and sound distance and movement. The authors conclude that early hearing aid use improves quality of life in mild cases.
What is still missing is a clear understanding of the pathophysiology of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, which prevents rational drug targeting. No drug has been shown in a controlled trial to alter the natural history of the condition. The genetic findings have not yet translated into any approved treatment. Adequately powered, placebo-controlled trials with standardised outcome measures are absent, and patient stratification by aetiology or genetic subtype remains unachieved.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Journal of Otology · 2019 · 74 citations · open access
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss – A contemporary review of management issues
AbstractSudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an enigmatic entity, with obscure pathophysiology and debatable efficacy of the treatment agents used. An underlying cause is identified in only 10-15% of cases. The management of the remaining patients, classified as 'idiopathic', is empirical, and is conventionally with systemic steroids, vasodilator therapy, rheological agents, and antioxidants, to list a few amongst the host of the agents employed for the treatment. The availability of conflicting outcomes and lack of conclusive evidence has resulted in the propagation of consensus-based treatment protocols. In the present review, we discuss the various controversial issues and newer developments in the management of idiopathic SSNHL. The current review aims to present a narrative outlook of the updated evidence base available from PUBMED, augmented with relevant designated publications.
British Journal of Hospital Medicine · 2005 · 4 citations
The genetics of hearing loss
AbstractHearing impairment is the most common sensory deficit with half of the causes of hearing loss having a genetic basis. There is a range of treatment devices but these do not correct the underlying pathology. Advances in molecular biology have greatly enhanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of genetic hearing loss, including potential treatments.
Russian Bulletin of Otorhinolaryngology · 2019 · 4 citations
Possibility of application Mexidol for the treatment of patients suffering from sensorineural hearing loss and cerebrovascular insufficiency
AbstractПри сосудистой этиологии нейросенсорной тугоухости изменения слуха могут возникать как следствие вертебрально-базилярной недостаточности различной этиологии. Особенности этиологии и патогенеза хронической нейросенсорной тугоухости позволяют считать весьма перспективным использование в терапевтическом комплексе нейропротективных препаратов, способных активизировать структуру и функцию нейрональных структур проводящего пути анализатора. Этилметилгидроксипиридина сукцинат, обладая комплексными фармакологическими возможностями и широким спектром эффектов, реализуемых на нейрональном и сосудистом уровнях, может быть применен в терапии нарушения слуха и разборчивости речи.
Molecular Analysis of Hair Cells in Sensorineural Hearing Loss
AbstractPURPOSE: Since the completion of the human genome project, the exploration of the molecular basis of sensorineural hearing loss has been an area of intensive research. In this review, we attempt to summarize the knowledge on genes or proteins in hair cells related to sensorineural hearing loss. Investigating expression and function of these genes will help us to understand the molecular mechanisms of deafness. FINDINGS: There are about 70-100 genetic loci which are related to deafness. Some of them are signal proteins while others are membrane proteins. Some of them can deter hair cell development or accelerate aging. CONCLUSION: Most of these genes and proteins are related to signal transduction pathways. These gens are located in the outer hair cells, which is the site for receiving sound.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2021 · 0 citations · open access
SENSENEURAL HEARING LOSS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE
AbstractWe examined 35 patients with unilateral mild sensorineural hearing loss.\nPatients were interviewed using the Speech, Space and Hearing Quality (SSQ) questionnaire\nbefore hearing aid and after hearing aid 1 month later. Data analysis showed that patients\nwith mild sensorineural hearing loss after hearing aids showed significantly higher scores\ncompared to the previous one. After bilateral hearing recovery, SSQ scores were significantly\nhigher than those with unilateral hearing loss for speech in silence, speech in noise, sound\nlocalization, sound distance and movement. Re-testing has shown an improvement in the\nquality of life of patients, which dictates early hearing aid in case of a mild degree of\nneurosonic hearing loss.\n
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
DeCure is a research and publication project, not medical advice and not a treatment. "DeCure for X" describes a research goal, not a claim that a cure exists. Backing a cure is a contribution to fund the research — it is not an investment, and confers no yield, royalty, equity or IP ownership. Papers are published open-access by the DeCure.ai DAO.
