Understanding how Ménière’s disease progresses using an inner-ear model
Official title: Understanding the progression of hearing loss in an endolymphatic hydrops model
Funded at Creighton University · NIH-11336216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how hearing loss from Ménière’s disease develops in an animal model to uncover the biology of the inner ear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Creighton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | March 5, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $330,750 |
| NIH project number | 2P20GM139762-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Ménière’s disease or related inner-ear conditions who may benefit from improved understanding of disease mechanisms and future therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without Ménière’s disease or inner-ear disorders may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
The project uses an animal model of endolymphatic hydrops to explore how fluid balance in the inner ear affects hearing and balance. Researchers will compare hearing and balance performance with the chemical makeup of inner ear fluids, and examine potential breakdown of barriers that protect these fluids during disease progression. They will also analyze gene activity in the affected neurons to identify processes linked to dysfunction. The work aims to connect cellular changes with functional symptoms to better understand MD. All aims together seek to reveal mechanisms that could point to new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could inform development of therapies to preserve hearing and balance in Ménière’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked endolymphatic hydrops to inner-ear dysfunction, with some studies showing promise in translating animal findings to human conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
Creighton University
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Renauld, Justine Marie — Creighton University
- Study coordinator: Renauld, Justine Marie
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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.