May 13, 2009
Disease a
common problem for military personnel
KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Researchers at the University of
Kansas Medical Center have received a $1.27 million grant from the Department
of Defense (DOD) to study tinnitus, which is a ringing, buzzing, or whistling
in the ear. The DOD is interested in the disease as a common problem for people
who are exposed to excessive noise, especially military personnel.
Hinrich Staecker, MD, PhD, professor of otolaryngology, Dianne Durham,
PhD, professor of otolaryngology, and Thomas Imig, PhD, professor in molecular
and integrative physiology, will focus on whether the regeneration of hair
cells in the inner ear can not only restore hearing, but also mitigate tinnitus
and restore normal brain function to targeted areas. This is the first study
that will examine the efficacy of replacing inner-ear hair cells to treat the
disease.
"Our objective is to cure tinnitus, but first we have to find out what
causes the ringing noises," said Durham. "Since the inner-ear hair cells transmit signals to the brain, we think
replacing them will put us a step closer to our goal."
Every year, the DOD releases a list of prevalent diseases that it is
interested in researching. The KUMC researchers received one of 20 grants given
from 625 grant applications. The three-year grant will allow researchers to
conduct their studies in an animal model and then translate those results so
they can be applied to humans.
"Cases of tinnitus are growing,
but our population is also aging, and the disease affects those going through
hearing loss," said Durham. "While some people may find the disease to be relatively mild, for others, it's
very disruptive, so this work is very important for those suffering from this
disease."
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The University of Kansas Medical Center