Project Grant R41DC021394

This Project Grant award, funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) under the Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173), provides $290,920 to support research aimed at developing a novel treatment for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The key objectives are to: 1) determine the minimum effective oral dose of a selective CYP26 inhibitor compound (DX308) to improve cochlear structure and function after noise exposure, 2) evaluate the cellular permeability of DX308 via the tympanic membrane and round window membrane for potential topical administration, and 3) assess the embryo-fetal development toxicity of the active oral dose. This research, conducted in collaboration with researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch and the University of Montana, seeks to identify the first-in-class oral CYP26 inhibitor preclinical candidate that can rescue NIHL by promoting the survival of cochlear hair cells and ribbon synapses.