Research Project
We are Recruiting Patients for a Large Gene Discovery Research Study on Meniere's Disease
Our research study entitled “Whole Genome Association Study of Meniere’s Disease” will be conducted by the House Ear Institute’s Laboratory for Genetics of Hereditary Ear Disorders, under the direction of Rick A. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D. The purpose of the study is to identify the genetic variants and potentially causative genes that predispose individuals to Meniere’s disease.
We are currently recruiting 2,000 patients from around the U.S. with unilateral or bilateral Meniere’s disease for our five year study. The genetic analysis of the Meniere’s group will be compared to that of a normal group to identify DNA variants associated with Meniere’s disease.
Meniere’s disease is a debilitating disorder of the ear and is characterized by four major symptoms:
- Episodic vertigo lasting at least 20 minutes (whirling dizziness)
- Tinnitus (ringing or roaring sound in the ear)
- Hearing loss
- Aural fullness (feeling fullness or pressure in the ear)
To qualify as a study participant, you must have all of the symptoms noted above, with at least one affected ear. You may qualify to participate regardless of whether you reside within or outside the Los Angeles, CA area, where the study will be conducted. Strict adherence to the inclusion/exclusion criteria is necessary for ensuring that patients with Meniere’s disease will be compared to patients without Meniere’s disease.
In addition to this study, House Ear Institute is investigating the genetic basis for a number of other inner ear diseases. Therefore, as a qualified study participant, we will ask whether or not you will allow us to use your DNA sample as a “control” or “unaffected” individual for other diseases of the inner ear, such as otosclerosis, noise-induced hearing loss, or any other disease whose genetics are studied in a case/control fashion, i.e. comparing unaffected individuals to affected individuals. Your willingness to participate in our other studies will in no way affect your contribution to the Meniere’s disease study.
To participate or learn more, contact Cory White at cwhite@hei.org.