R01DC020179

Estrogenic Regulation of Systemic Vocal Fold Dehydration - Project Summary

A central role of estrogen is regulating hydration balance in the body. Decreases in body (systemic) hydration cause systemic vocal fold dehydration. Systemic vocal fold dehydration alters the biology of the tissue. Nevertheless, the importance of estrogens in regulating these biological changes of systemic vocal fold dehydration remains unknown.

We address this important clinical and theoretical issue by investigating the transcriptome, proteome, tissue morphology, and ultrasonic vocalization outcomes in a study design that carefully manipulates hormonal state and hydration state. We will also examine the effects of estrogen on the vascular geometry and blood flow to the larynx following the interaction of systemic dehydration with altered hormonal states.

We use the rat animal model for these studies since this model allows for robust and rigorous control of hydration and hormonal levels. Because estrogen is important irrespective of biological sex, both male and female rats will be included.

To examine the effects of hormonal loss and replacement, we will measure outcomes when reproductive organs have been surgically removed (ovariectomized and orchiectomized rats) and when estrogen replacement with estradiol is delivered. Systemic dehydration will be induced by a translational paradigm of water restriction for 5 days. Animals with free access to water will serve as controls for dehydration.

Across 16 animal groups, our first goal is to quantify the effects of hormonal loss on the molecular and histologic signatures of vocal fold dehydration and the influence of estradiol replacement on these signatures. Because hormone receptors are differentially located across vocal fold mucosa and muscle, and these tissue layers have distinct cellular organization and biomechanical properties, the vocal fold mucosa and muscle are examined separately.

Our second goal is to investigate the interaction of hormonal status and dehydration on ultrasonic vocalizations. Our third goal is to examine the influence of hormonal status and dehydration on vascular geometry, blood flow, and the physiologic consequences of these changes.

By combining molecular, histological, and functional studies, and mechanistic investigations of hemodynamic modifications, this comprehensive proposal seeks to shed fundamental insight into the effects of estrogens on vocal fold dehydration biology. These data are needed to drive clinical recommendations pertaining to vocal fold physiology under conditions of altered hydration and hormonal states.

Purdue University

TO INVESTIGATE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DEAFNESS OR DISORDERS OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION IN THE AREAS OF HEARING, BALANCE, SMELL, TASTE, VOICE, SPEECH, AND LANGUAGE. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS (NIDCD) SUPPORTS RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING, INCLUDING INVESTIGATION INTO THE ETIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY, DETECTION, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION OF DISORDERS OF HEARING AND OTHER COMMUNICATION PROCESSES, PRIMARILY THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH IN ANATOMY, AUDIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOENGINEERING, EPIDEMIOLOGY, GENETICS, IMMUNOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, THE NEUROSCIENCES, OTOLARYNGOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY, PHARMACOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY, PSYCHOPHYSICS, SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY, AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES. THE NIDCD SUPPORTS: (1) RESEARCH INTO THE EVALUATION OF TECHNIQUES AND DEVICES USED IN DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, REHABILITATION, AND PREVENTION OF DISORDERS OF HEARING AND OTHER COMMUNICATION PROCESSES; (2) RESEARCH INTO PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF HEARING LOSS AND SPEECH, VOICE, AND LANGUAGE DISORDERS AND RESEARCH INTO PREVENTING THE EFFECTS OF SUCH DISORDERS BY MEANS OF APPROPRIATE REFERRAL AND REHABILITATION; (3) RESEARCH INTO THE DETECTION, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION OF DISORDERS OF HEARING AND OTHER COMMUNICATION PROCESSES IN THE ELDERLY POPULATION AND ITS REHABILITATION TO ENSURE CONTINUED EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS; AND (4) RESEARCH TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AGENTS THAT INFLUENCE HEARING OR OTHER COMMUNICATION PROCESSES.

93.173 - Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) [HHS - NIH]

West Lafayette, Indiana 479072122 United States

Single Zip Code

NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-20-185)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 391% from $630,793 to $3,098,418.