The Impact of Genetic Factors in Ménière's Disease

Ménière's disease is an idiopathic disorder of the inner ear whose causes and pathogenetic mechanisms remain insufficiently elucidated. Advances in genetic analysis technologies have shifted attention toward the role of hereditary components in Ménière's disease, generating a considerable number of studies investigating the relationship between human genetic variations and disease onset. The results of these investigations highlight the complex and heterogeneous nature of pathogenesis, involving both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Studies have identified multiple candidate genes involved in the regulation of endolymphatic fluid homeostasis, immune response, control of oxidative stress, and maintenance of the structural integrity of the inner ear. However, the reproducibility of these associations varies substantially across populations, reflecting the impact of ethnic heterogeneity, HLA haplotypes, and phenotypic diversity among patients. Moreover, non-genetic factors may act as triggers or modulators of the disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Taken together, the evidence supports a polygenic and context-dependent model of the disorder, in which genes influence susceptibility but do not directly determine disease development. Integrating genomic information with clinical data, analyzing immunological profiles, and investigating exposure to environmental factors are essential steps for patient classification and for the development of individualized treatment strategies.