Understanding how the cochlear aqueduct changes with age
Official title: Characterization of the cochlear aqueduct
Funded at Karolinska Institute · NIH-11089364 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the cochlear aqueduct, a tiny passage in the ear, changes as we get older and how we might use it to deliver treatments for hearing loss, using special imaging techniques in older mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Karolinska Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Solna, Sweden) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $147,124 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC021730-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089364 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing age-related hearing loss or other auditory disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with congenital hearing loss or those who are not experiencing age-related auditory changes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cochlear aqueduct's structure and function as it ages, focusing on how substances can be delivered to the inner ear. Using advanced imaging techniques, the study will track the movement of tracers and immune cells through the cochlear aqueduct in aged mice. The goal is to identify how the aqueduct can be utilized for therapeutic delivery, potentially improving treatments for hearing loss. The research will involve both histological analysis and high-resolution MRI to assess changes over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new methods for delivering therapies directly to the inner ear, potentially improving hearing restoration techniques.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using the cochlear aqueduct for drug delivery is novel, similar methodologies in other areas of drug delivery have shown promise.
Where this research is happening
-
Karolinska Institute
Solna, Sweden Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Canlon, Barbara — Karolinska Institute
- Study coordinator: Canlon, Barbara
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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.