Effects of stress on the bacteria and health of the larynx
Official title: Investigating the effects of psychosocial stress on laryngeal microbiology and epithelial barrier integrity
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10933446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress might change the bacteria in the throat and affect its ability to stay healthy, which could help us understand why some people have voice problems when they're stressed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,984 |
| NIH project number | 5F32DC021367-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing voice problems who also report symptoms of psychological stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without voice problems or those not experiencing psychosocial stress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how psychosocial stress affects the microbial communities and the protective barrier of the larynx. By using a mouse model, researchers will induce stress and then analyze changes in the laryngeal microbiome and epithelial integrity. The study aims to understand if stress leads to harmful changes in the types and amounts of bacteria present, as well as how it affects the larynx's ability to protect itself from infections. This could provide insights into the biological mechanisms linking stress and voice problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for managing voice problems related to stress.
How similar studies have gone: While the effects of stress on other mucosal organs have been studied, this specific investigation into the laryngeal microbiome is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Venkatraman, Anumitha — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Venkatraman, Anumitha
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.