How hormones and the pituitary may affect keratoconus
The Intimate Interplay Between Keratoconus, Sex Hormones, and the Anterior Pituitary
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR · NIH-11262874
This project looks at whether sex hormones and pituitary signals change the cornea in people with keratoconus to help explain why the disease starts and progresses.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (FORT WORTH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11262874 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This work will compare hormone signals and molecular markers in corneas, tears, and blood from people with keratoconus and from people without the condition. Researchers will measure levels of sex hormones, gonadotropins, and a hormone-regulated protein called PIP, and will look for related receptors in corneal tissue. Laboratory experiments using patient-derived corneal cells and tissues will test how these hormones change cell behavior and corneal structure. The research aims to link hormone changes to disease onset, progression, and possible recurrence after transplant.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with keratoconus who are willing to provide clinical information and biological samples such as blood, tears, or corneal tissue.
Not a fit: People without keratoconus or with unrelated eye conditions would not be expected to receive direct benefit from participating in this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new diagnostic markers or hormone-targeted approaches that slow or prevent keratoconus progression.
How similar studies have performed: Early work, including from this research team, has identified hormone-linked markers like PIP and changes in GnRH in keratoconus, but hormone-driven mechanisms are still a relatively new and unproven explanation.
Where this research is happening
FORT WORTH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR — FORT WORTH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KARAMICHOS, DIMITRIOS — UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR
- Study coordinator: KARAMICHOS, DIMITRIOS
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 below.