Summary: The Misophonia Research Fund (MRF) continues to drive groundbreaking research with a $2.5 million investment in eight new projects, aiming to advance the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of misophonia.

Takeaways:

  1. Expanding Knowledge: With over $12 million invested to date, MRF-funded projects have yielded insights into the neurological and psychological mechanisms behind misophonia.
  2. Research Diversity: The latest grants support studies across neuroscience, psychology, genetics, and audiology, fostering a comprehensive approach to understanding and treating misophonia.
  3. Significant Publications: MRF-backed studies have resulted in 45 peer-reviewed papers, representing approximately 20% of all scientific literature on misophonia, positioning MRF as a leading catalyst in the field.

The Misophonia Research Fund (MRF), an initiative of the REAM Foundation, announced the success of its ongoing dedication to driving innovative and impactful misophonia research with over $12 million in total research investment thus far, and an additional $2.5 million in research commitment with its latest batch of grant recipients. 

Understanding Misophonia

In line with its mission to support scientific breakthroughs, the MRF’s investment has led to significant progress in understanding misophonia, a disorder characterized by decreased tolerance and strong negative emotional, physiological, and behavioral reactions to specific “trigger” sounds.

This year marks a pivotal moment for misophonia research as projects funded through the MRF have contributed to a deeper understanding of the neurological and psychological mechanisms behind the condition, according to the organization. Several of these studies are already informing the development and standardization of new diagnostic tools and potential therapeutic approaches. Demonstrating the MRF’s position as catalyst in the field of misophonia, 45 MRF-funded peer-reviewed papers on misophonia have been published since the MRF’s founding in 2019 – representing ~20% of all current scientific literature on misophonia.

“Misophonia is a disorder that has long been misunderstood and under-researched, leaving many affected individuals without adequate answers or support,” says Lauren Harte-Hargrove, executive director of the MRF. “Through our dedicated funding efforts, the efforts of our partners, and our alliance with those impacted by misophonia, we are now making meaningful strides toward addressing this gap. The breakthroughs our grantees have made underscore the importance of continued investment in misophonia research, and we’re thrilled to support the next wave of researchers in this burgeoning field.”

New Research Investigating Misophonia

The MRF announced its latest cohort of eight grant recipients, which join 32 previously awarded scientific projects dedicated to building a fundamental understanding of misophonia and supporting the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. The newly funded projects will span a wide range of disciplines, including neuroscience, genetics, psychology, audiology, and clinical research, ensuring a comprehensive approach to tackling the complexities of misophonia.

“We are excited to support such an outstanding group of researchers who are pushing the boundaries of what we know about misophonia,” says Diane Miller, co-founder of the MRF. “Their innovative approaches and dedication to solving this complex condition offer hope to the multitude of individuals worldwide who suffer from misophonia.”

2024 Misophonia Research Impact Grant recipients:

  • University of California Santa Cruz, where Nicolas Davidenko, PhD, will extend his previous MRF-funded work to examine the role of mental imagery in reducing distress in reaction to trigger sounds.
  • Duke University, where Ashley Moskovich, PhD, aims to determine the prevalence and incidence of misophonia in the United States, as well as whether misophonia symptom severity changes over time.
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where postdoctoral research fellow Parul Jain, PhD, will conduct research to examine the impact of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on symptoms of misophonia.
  • Mass Eye and Ear, where postdoctoral research fellow Samuel Smith, PhD, will conduct research aimed at determining psycho-physiological indicators of misophonia, providing a publicly available analysis toolkit.
  • University of Sussex, where Giulia Poerio, PhD will examine the impact of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation on symptoms of misophonia.
  • Tel Aviv University, where Tami Bar-Shalita, PhD, is partnering with Rachel Kizony, PhD, at the University of Haifa to create a framework to understand sensory, cognitive and emotional aspects of misophonia.
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where Tiffany Woynaroski, PhD, will investigate early biological and behavioral markers of sound intolerance.
  • Yale University, where Thomas Fernandez, MD, aims to advance our understanding of the genetic risk factors and biological pathways underlying misophonia.

These grantees will receive a combined total of $2.5M in funding, with projects expected to span two to three years. Through their work, the MRF hopes to accelerate the path to effective treatments and improve the quality of life for those living with misophonia.F

eatured image: 2024 Misophonia Research Fund Grantees. Photo: Business Wire