Finding a genetic cause of Ménière's Disease

A major grant from Deafness Research UK has enabled a research team led by Dr Mark Bailey at the University of Glasgow to investigate the genetics of Ménière's Disease.

[Project Grant, 2003-2008]

Ménière's Disease is an abnormality of the inner ear causing a host of symptoms, including vertigo or severe dizziness, tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, and the sensation of pressure or pain in the ear.

It is known that in some 7% of those affected with Ménière's Disease there is a family history of the disease, suggesting that that it has a genetic component, but no disease-causing genetic mutations have so far been identified.

The aim of Dr Bailey's research is to identify one or more genes involved in predisposition to Ménière's Disease using a combination of approaches based on modern genetic and molecular analyses. The research team are carrying out this analysis in a unique collection of familial cases of Ménière's Disease from 18 separate families. They have also collected and analysed data from a large sample of patients with no family history of Ménière's (‘sporadic’ cases).

So far, the study has involved a careful analysis of so-called 'genetic markers' which allow researchers to identify areas of the genome that are likely to be linked to the disease.

The researchers found a genetic region on chromosome 14 that shows evidence of linkage to Ménière's Disease in the families. This evidence strongly suggests that a gene that causes Ménière's Disease in about half of the families is located on chromosome 14. In order to find which gene or genes, the team must screen for mutations in a number of different genes located in this region of chromosome 14. This work will continue until the disease-causing mutation is identified.

Identifying the gene(s) underlying Ménière's Disease will bring benefits in two main areas. Firstly, it will improve early diagnosis of the disorder and could provide a predictive test (where appropriate) for relatives of familial cases. Secondly, it will point the way for future research aimed at understanding the disorder and the biochemical pathways involved. This is a necessary first step on the path to designing targeted therapies or preventative measures.