Investigating how Orexin signaling affects hearing in the cochlea
Official title: Orexin Signaling in the Mouse Cochlea
Funded at University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-10730203 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a brain chemical called Orexin affects hearing in mice, and it hopes to find out if sleep medications that work on Orexin could be safe for people who have hearing issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $193,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC020326-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10730203 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who experience insomnia and are concerned about the potential effects of insomnia medications on their hearing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have insomnia or hearing issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of Orexin signaling in the cochlea, which is crucial for hearing. By using genetically modified mice, the study aims to understand how Orexin affects cochlear function and whether insomnia medications that target Orexin receptors could impact hearing health. The researchers will employ techniques like immunohistochemistry to analyze the presence of Orexin peptides and their receptors in the cochlea. The findings could provide insights into the safety of insomnia drugs for individuals with hearing concerns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer insomnia treatments that do not compromise hearing health.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of Orexin signaling in the cochlea is novel, previous studies have shown that Orexin plays a significant role in sleep regulation, indicating potential for impactful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi Med Ctr
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vetter, Douglas E — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Vetter, Douglas E
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.