METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF THE HEALTHY CARRIER STATE FOR THE 35DELG MUTATION IN THE GJB2 GENE AS RISK FACTOR FOR HEARING LOSS

摘要

A method is described for detection of the healthy carrier state for the genetic mutation 35delG in the GJB2 gene based on the measurement of epidermal thickness. Since this mutation correlates with the occurrence of genetically based hearing loss, the screening of a general normal hearing population for a potential genetic mutation, performed by non-invasive, rapid and reliable measurement of epidermal thickness, represents an important tool for genetic screening and assessment for a potential associated deafness risk. In addition to the method, the invention describes the apparatus to perform said method.