Genetic Studies of Tone Deafness

June 30, 2017 updated by: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Genetic Studies of Tune Deafness

This study will examine the hereditary basis of tone deafness by identifying regions of the human genome linked to this condition. Both exceptionally good pitch recognition (perfect pitch) and exceptionally poor pitch recognition (tone deafness) run in families. A better understanding of what causes tone deafness may provide new insights into auditory (hearing) function.

Individuals with two or more family members 15 years of age or older who are tone deaf or have trouble recognizing different melodies may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a short listening test for pitch and a short written test. Those identified with poor pitch recognition will fill out a brief questionnaire about their family tree and family members (without identifying names) who have trouble recognizing melodies or tones. Individuals with poor pitch recognition will be asked to help contact family members who may be interested in participating.

Members of families with two or more first-degree relatives (parents, grandparents, siblings) who are tone deaf may enroll in the study. They will provide a blood sample (about 2 tablespoons) for genetic studies and may take a 20-minute hearing test using headphones.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

The primary goal of this study is to identify regions of the genome which show genetic linkage to deficits in pitch recognition. Pitch recognition in subjects will be tested to identify individuals and families with poor pitch recognition, known as tune deafness, defined as the inability to recognize wrong notes in a popular melody. We will undertake a 2-stage process, first a screening to identify probands, and secondly a full family ascertainment and enrollment. Probands and family members will be given an auditory and verbal attention test, and additions listening tests to measure aspects of center auditory processing and attention. Family phenotypic data will be used for additional epidemiological studies of tune deafness. Affected and unaffected members of families containing multiple tune deaf individuals will have 20 cc of blood drawn to obtain DNA. These DNA samples will then be genotyped using markers distributed across the human genome, and the genotypic information analyzed to determine which markers show linkage to tune deafness. Genetic linkage is the initial step in the process of positional cloning, and cloning the defective genes which underlie tune deafness is a long term goal of this research.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

968

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

15 years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Individuals over the age of 15.

This study includes both males and females, and includes members of all racial and ethnic groups. This study includes both normal and tune deaf individuals, as well as individuals that may have intermediate scores on the Distorted Tunes Test, indicating a status between completely tune deaf and normal.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Hearing impaired individuals, as first estimated by a score of 25 or greater on the American Academy of Otolaryngology's 5 Minute Hearing Test, or subsequently by audiological exam.

Cognitively impaired individuals.

Family members in families where only one person exhibits tune deafness.

Individuals currently using psychoactive medication.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 26, 2000

Study Completion

June 29, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 28, 2000

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 28, 2000

First Posted (Estimate)

July 31, 2000

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 2, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 30, 2017

Last Verified

June 29, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 000176
  • 00-DC-0176

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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