RESEARCH

Daniel Brown and team - Curtin University 

(a) A potassium biosensor for the inner ear. 

Recent advances in implantable or wearable drug delivery devices have seen novel sensors built into the device, enabling drug delivery to occur at optimal times based on biomarker levels, in a closed-loop drug-delivery system. An example of this is Wearable Blood-Glucose Monitors with implantable Insulin Pumps for Diabetics. Numerous drug-delivery devices have been developed for the inner ear, including the cochlear implant, although to date no implantable inner ear sensors have been developed. This project aims to break that ground by developing an implantable Ion Sensitive Electrode (ISE), and using it to monitor, as a first target, changes in the potassium concentration of inner ear fluids for Meniere’s disease, where controlled drug delivery would be ideal to halt disease progression. Moreover, we aim to obtain fundamental parameters that will allow the future development of a drug delivery device that is co-localized with the ISE in the inner ear, providing K+-controlled drug release

(b) A non-invasive, objective measure of endolymphatic hydrops. 

Currently endolymphatic hydrops, which is the hallmark of Meniere’s disease, is difficult to diagnose, often requiring a complex MRI scan to be performed. Our past research has identified that otoacoustic emissions (echoes from the ear canal in response to tones) can be used to differentially diagnose endolymphatic hydrops in a simple, non-invasive, quick and cheap bedside test. In this project we aim to further validate this diagnostic test, by measuring responses in close to 300 dizzy patients, with close to 60 Meniere’s sufferers. 

(c) Antioxidant drugs for Meniere’s.

Recent clinical trials of therapeutic drugs for Meniere’s disease have highlighted that antioxidant drugs may provide effective relieve and halt the progression of the disease. Here we are studying the efficacy of a re-purposed cholesterol lowering drug, Probucol, as a powerful anti-oxidantdrug. We are applying the drug directly to the inner ear, and will be testing its efficacy in treating immune-induced endolymphatic hydrops.

2.   SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 

Treating the disabling inner ear Ménière’s disease

his a 9 minutes recording from the ABC Radio National  - Listen Podcast

Guests: 

Steven Moore, Meniere's disease patient

Jose Antonio Lopez-Escamez, Professor of Meniere's disease and neurosciences

Meniere's disease is a chronic condition that causes tinnitus, vertigo and deafness. It typically starts in one ear, but can go on to affect both.

At the moment there is no cure, only strategies to lower the chances of an attack and treatments to help manage the symptoms.

It’s hoped gene therapy might be able to turn things around.

Link to ABC Listen

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/healthreport/menieres-disease-inner-ear/104262196?utm_content=mail&utm_medium=content_shared

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY 

Coming soon 

June 2024 - latest results 

https://hearingpractitionernews.com.au/world-first-australian-trial-finds-gel-steroid-injection-reduces-menieres-disease-vertigo/

An invitation to participate in the following trial: 

A Novel Sustained Release Dexamethasone Gel Formulation Administered to the Round Window Under Endoscopic Visualization in Patients with Meniere's Disease

Who can enrol? 

·  18-85 years old

·  Diagnosed with unilateral definite Meniere’s Disease

·  At least one definite vertigo episode ≥ 20 minutes in three months prior to screening

See video for full details:

https://youtu.be/hy26NNS_roo

https://vimeopro.com/pascoeberry/menieres18

Speakers:

Mr Leo Tutt - President of Meniere’s Research Fund Inc 

Dr Celene McNeil – Hearing rehabilitation to improve the quality of life for patients with Meniere’s Disease 

Professor Payal Mukerjee – Tissue culture and nanotechnology – The possibilities for Meniere’s Disease 

Professor WPR Gibson – Research project to determine whether there is a possible viral cause of Meniere’s Disease 

Dr Daniel Brown –  Lead of Meniere's Research to end 2020.  

Mr Bruce Kirkpatrick – Founding President, Meniere’s Research Fund Inc.