Can This Research Stop Hearing Loss Caused by Tumors?

Anna Nagel, a University of Central Florida post-doctoral researcher, wants to stop Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumors from causing hearing and balance issues.

Thanks to the $150,000 Young Investigator Award she recently won from the Children's Tumor Foundation, Nagel is that much closer to achieving her goal.¹

What Are NF2 Tumors?

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic disorder that leads to the development of noncancerous tumors on nerves. While considered a rare disease, almost all individuals with NF2 develop tumors on the hearing and balance nerves that connect the brain to the inner ear.

In addition to causing hearing and balance issues, NF2 tumors called vestibular schwannomas can cause ringing in the ears, dizziness and challenges with controlling facial expressions. These benign tumors can be surgically removed but often grow back and are worse than before.

Since individuals with NF2 commonly start displaying symptoms in their teens or early adulthood,² they must contend with decades of debilitating symptoms—but not if Naples has anything to say about it.

About NF2 Research

Nagel works in the lab of Cristina Fernández-Valle, a Pegasus Professor and head of the Neuroscience Division at the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida. Fernández-Valle's research focuses on NF2 and discovering drugs that can trigger cell death in NF2 tumors.

Nagel will use the Young Investigator Award to learn more about NF2 tumors' internal cellular workings and the ideal way to kill them, potentially bringing relief to the individuals affected by NF2.

Struggling with hearing and balance issues? Our hearing and balance experts can help—call (408) 540-7128 to book a consultation.

_{¹ Van, T. (2024). Postdoc Earns Young Investigator Award. UCF Today. https://www.ucf.edu/news/post-doc-earns-young-investigator-award/}

_{² National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2017). Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) and neurofibromatosis. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/vestibular-schwannoma-acoustic-neuroma-and-neurofibromatosis}