Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition that causes repeated attacks of severe vertigo, a type of dizziness that makes one feel like they’re spinning. It is characterized by increased pressure of inner ear fluids. These fluids are constantly being produced and absorbed by the circulatory system. Any disturbance in this delicate relationship results in over-production or under-absorption of fluids. This leads to increased pressure that in turn produces vertigo that may be associated with fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus.
It is estimated that Meniere’s disease effects approximately 615,000 individuals in the United States, with 45,000 newly diagnosed cases each year. Although it can develop at any age, it is more likely to affect individuals between 40 and 60 years of age.
Why people develop Meniere’s disease is unclear. Several theories include allergies, abnormal ear structure, viral infections, and genetics. There is not yet a cure, but most individuals with Meniere’s can find relief through diet, drugs, assistive devices, or surgery. While these treatments do exist, research surrounding the cause and innovative clinical treatments are necessary to improve the lives of those living with Meniere’s.
Past Research
- Developed the first ethnic characterization of a large Meniere’s Disease cohort from a large metropolitan area using molecular genetic data.
- Found that circulating immune complexes (CIC) may be involved in pathogenesis of Meniere’s Disease, either as a direct cause of damage or as a by product of an underlaying autoimmune abnormality.
- Participated in several clinical drug trials for the treatment and improvement of Meniere’s Disease symptoms.
Upcoming Research
- Proposals submitted for the effects of novel uses of established medications for symptom improvement on patients with
Our Team
- M. Jennifer Derebery, MD – Neurotologist
- Shanel Hill – Research Coordinator
- Mia Miller, MD – Neurotologist
- Kevin Peng, MD – Neurotologist
- Wadad Shalhub, Aud – Audiologist
Publication List
Derebery MJ. Allergic and immunologic features of Ménière’s disease. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2011;44(3):655-66, ix. doi:10.1016/j.otc.2011.03.004.
Derebery MJ, Berliner KI. Allergy and its relation to Meniere’s disease. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2010;43(5):1047-58. doi:10.1016/j.otc.2010.05.004.
Derebery MJ, Fisher LM, Berliner K, Chung J, Green K. Outcomes of endolymphatic shunt surgery for Ménière’s disease: comparison with intratympanic gentamicin on vertigo control and hearing loss. ? Otology & Neurotology. 2010;31(4):649-55. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181dd13ac.
Derebery MJ, Berliner KI. Allergy and Ménière’s disease. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 2007;7(6):451-6.
Derebery MJ, Fisher LM, Iqbal Z. Randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of famciclovir for reduction of Ménière’s disease symptoms. Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. 2004 Dec;131(6):877-84.
Derebery MJ. Prevalence of heat shock protein in patients with Meniere’s disease and allergy. Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. 2002;126(6):677-82.
Derebery MJ, Berliner KI. Prevalence of allergy in Meniere’s disease. Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. 2000;123(1 Pt 1):69-75.
Derebery MJ. Allergic management of Meniere’s disease: an outcome study. Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. 2000;122(2):174-82.
Derebery MJ. Allergic and immunologic aspects of Meniere’s disease. Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. 1996;114(3):360-5.
Derebery MJ, Valenzuela S. Ménière’s syndrome and allergy. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 1992;25(1):213-24.
Don M, Kwong B, Tanaka C. An alternative diagnostic test for active Ménière’s disease and cochlear hydrops using high-pass noise masked responses: the complex amplitude ratio. Audiology & Neurotology. 2007;12(6):359-70. Epub 2007 Jul 27.
Don M, Kwong B, Tanaka C. A diagnostic test for Ménière’s Disease and Cochlear Hydrops: impaired high-pass noise masking of auditory brainstem responses. Otology & Neurotology. 2005 Jul;26(4):711-22.
Fisher LM, Derebery MJ, Friedman RA. Oral steroid treatment for hearing improvement in Ménière’s disease and endolymphatic hydrops. Otology & Neurotology. 2012;33(9):1685-91. doi:10.1097/MAO.0b013e31826dba83
Hamed AA, Gadre AK, Linthicum FH Jr. Hypoplastic endolymphatic sac, hydrops, and Mondini deformity: a case report. Laryngoscope. 1992;102(9):1043-8.
Hebbar GK, Rask-Andersen H, Linthicum FH Jr. Three-dimensional analysis of 61 human endolymphatic ducts and sacs in ears with and without Menière’s disease. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 1991;100(3):219-25.
Hoa M, Friedman RA, Fisher LM, Derebery MJ. Prognostic implications of and audiometric evidence for hearing fluctuation in Meniere’s disease. Laryngoscope. 2015;125 Suppl 12:S1-12. doi:10.1002/lary.25579.
House JW, Doherty JK, Fisher LM, Derebery MJ, Berliner KI. Meniere’s disease: prevalence of contralateral ear involvement. Otology & Neurotology. 2006;27(3):355-61.
Keithley EM, Horowitz S, Ruckenstein MJ. Na,K-ATPase in the cochlear lateral wall of human temporal bones with endolymphatic hydrops. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 1995;104(11):858-63.
Linthicum FH Jr, Tian Q, Milicic M. Constituents of the endolymphatic tubules as demonstrated by three-dimensional morphometry. Acta Oto-laryngologica. 1995;115(2):246-50.
Luxford E, Berliner KI, Lee J, Luxford WM. Dietary modification as adjunct treatment in Ménière’s disease: patient willingness and ability to comply. Otology & Neurotology. 2013;34(8):1438-43. doi:10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182942261.
Luxford WM, Luxford E, Berliner KI. Response to letter to the editor concerning: Dietary modification as adjunct treatment in Ménière’s disease: patient willingness and ability to comply. Otology & Neurotology. 2015;36(1):198-9. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000000477.
Ohmen JD, White CH, Li X, Wang J, Fisher LM, Zhang H, Derebery MJ, Friedman RA. Genetic evidence for an ethnic diversity in the susceptibility to Ménière’s disease. Otology & Neurotology. 2013;34(7):1336-41. doi:10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182868818.
Rask-Andersen H, Danckwardt-Lillieström N, Linthicum FH Jr, House WF. Ultrastructural evidence of a merocrine secretion in the human endolymphatic sac. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 1991 Feb;100(2):148-56.
Sennaroolu L, Linthicum FH Jr. Histopathology of Ménière’s disease. American Journal of Otolaryngology. 2000;21(6):889.
Slattery WH 3rd, Fayad JN. Medical treatment of Meniere’s disease. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 1997;30(6):1027-37.
Teufert KB, Doherty J. Endolymphatic sac shunt, labyrinthectomy, and vestibular nerve section in Meniere’s disease. . Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2010;43(5):1091-111. doi:10.1016/j.otc.2010.05.014.
Vasama JP, Linthicum FH Jr. Meniere’s disease and endolymphatic hydrops without Meniere’s symptoms: temporal bone histopathology. Acta Oto-laryngologica. 1999;119(3):297-301.
