Understanding how stress hormones affect Meniere’s disease
Official title: Understanding the role of stress hormones in Meniere's disease
Funded at Creighton University · NIH-11327378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist is studying whether stress-related hormones change inner ear fluids and contribute to Meniere’s disease symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Creighton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | May 6, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $183,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC020983-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Meniere’s disease or related inner ear disorders could benefit from future treatments arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefit to patients is not guaranteed during this basic-stage study, and advances may take time to translate clinically.
What this research studies
Meniere’s disease causes hearing loss and vertigo, and stress appears to worsen symptoms. This grant explores how adrenergic stress hormones may alter the production of endolymph in the inner ear using mouse models and ear tissue explants. Researchers will examine receptor activity and its effects on fluid balance and ear function with electrophysiology and tissue analysis. The work aims to identify a molecular link between stress signals and inner ear balance to guide future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to reduce stress-related worsening of Meniere’s symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest stress influences inner ear function, but the precise mechanisms are still being investigated.
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.