A new approach to protect the heart after radiation exposure
Official title: A Novel Model for Development of Countermeasures to Mitigate Radiation-induced Cardiotoxicity
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11378776 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to develop a post-exposure strategy to reduce heart damage after dangerous radiation, potentially helping people exposed in accidents or attacks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $158,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI193959-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378776 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to this preclinical study; future patients would be those at risk of radiation-induced heart injury after exposure.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient benefit until later translational steps and clinical testing are completed.
What this research studies
If radiation exposure happens, many people could be at risk of delayed heart problems. The team will refine a post-exposure approach that can be used within 24 hours to lessen cardiac injury in a mouse model. The work focuses on a simple, non-drug method that could be easy to deploy after a radiation incident. Findings could guide future testing to protect heart health in affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a practical way to reduce long-term heart damage after radiation exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in animals showed that a brief post-exposure intervention reduced radiation lethality and delayed organ damage in some models; this study extends to heart protection.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dynlacht, Joseph R — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Dynlacht, Joseph R
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.