Pharmacological ways to deliver medicines across the vocal fold barrier
Official title: Pharmacological Approaches for Transepithelial Delivery of Therapeutics to the Vocal Folds
Funded at Texas Christian University · NIH-11657731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores safe drug delivery methods to the vocal folds to help people with voice disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Christian University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $94,340 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DC019566-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11657731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with voice disorders or dysphonia who are candidates for pharmacological therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without vocal fold pathology or those not suitable for pharmacological delivery approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how to transport medicines through the vocal fold barrier to improve voice health. The project builds on years of work showing how steroid hormones affect the vocal fold lining and how to keep it safe. It combines laboratory studies with early testing of drug delivery approaches to enhance therapeutic effects while minimizing harm. If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that reduce voice problems for adults who rely on their voice for work and daily life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better, safer treatments that improve voice quality and reduce disability for people with voice disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has laid groundwork on vocal fold biology and steroid effects, with promising mechanisms for targeted delivery; this next step is translation toward clinically useful methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rousseau, Bernard — Texas Christian University
- Study coordinator: Rousseau, Bernard
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.