Understanding how sex hormones affect vision loss in a specific eye disease
Official title: Investigating the Role of Systemic Sex Hormones on Photoreceptor Degeneration
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10997256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how hormones like estrogen and progesterone might affect the worsening of Retinitis Pigmentosa, a condition that can cause blindness, and it’s specifically checking if females experience this decline faster than males, with hopes of finding new ways to help people with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $40,127 |
| NIH project number | 1F31EY036730-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997256 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, particularly those who may be affected differently based on their biological sex.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa who do not have significant hormonal influences on their disease progression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how systemic sex hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, influence the progression of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a condition that leads to blindness. Using a mouse model, the study examines the differences in disease progression between male and female subjects, revealing that females may experience faster visual decline. The research employs targeted molecular biology techniques to analyze the effects of these hormones on cell death and stress responses in photoreceptor cells. By uncovering the molecular mechanisms involved, the study aims to provide insights that could lead to new therapeutic strategies for RP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa, potentially slowing disease progression and preserving vision.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that hormonal influences can affect disease outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights into Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rowe, Ashley — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rowe, Ashley
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.