Treatment of Facial Nerve Palsy Based on Genetic Analysis of the Facial Muscles

Details of the molecular biological features of facial nerve palsy have not been widely reported in textbooks. I performed a genetic analysis of facial muscle specimens from Japanese patients with moderate (House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system III) and severe (House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system V) dysfunctions due to Bell’s palsy and rats, after facial nerve resection (total paralysis). Microarray analysis of gene expression was performed using specimens from both the healthy and affected sides, and gene expressions were compared. Changes in gene expression were defined as a palsy/healthy side ratio >2.0 or <0.5. I observed changes of gene expression; in particular, genes for muscle, neuron, and energy function showed changes with the severity of facial nerve palsy. This study may aid the development of new treatments and diagnostic/prognostic markers based on the severity of palsy.