Detecting heart issues caused by protein buildup in older adults
Official title: Early Detection of Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis: Defining a Novel Target for HFpEF Treatment and Prevention in Late Life
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10569547 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for early signs of a heart condition called transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) in older adults, using special imaging to spot changes in the heart before any symptoms show up, so that treatment can start sooner and help manage heart health better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2020 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $827,451 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL150342-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10569547 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly individuals aged 70 and above who are at risk for heart failure but currently do not show symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 70 or those who already have a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on identifying early signs of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA), a serious heart condition that affects many elderly individuals. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to detect changes in heart structure and function before symptoms arise, which can lead to timely treatment. The research also seeks to understand how these changes relate to the presence of misfolded proteins in the heart, potentially improving diagnosis and management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Participants will be monitored over several years to gather valuable data on heart health in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment options for older adults suffering from heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using non-invasive imaging techniques for diagnosing similar cardiac conditions, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dorbala, Sharmila — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dorbala, Sharmila
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Identifying Hidden Cardiac Amyloidosis in Black V122I TTR Carriers
This project looks for early signs of heart damage in Black individuals who carry the V122I TTR variant and may benefit from new treatments if caught early.
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Chip phosphorylation boosts breakdown of mutant TTR to help heart amyloidosis
A scientist-led project aims to help people with a heart disease caused by a mutant protein called transthyretin (TTR) by boosting the body’s protein-cleanup systems to remove the harmful TTR deposits.
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Finding transthyretin heart amyloid from lumbar spine surgery tissue
This project looks for transthyretin (TTR) amyloid in tissue removed during lumbar spine surgery to find people who may later develop TTR cardiac amyloidosis.
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Blood biomarker test for heart amyloidosis in Black and Hispanic people
A blood test called TAD1 is being checked to detect dangerous heart amyloidosis earlier in Black and Hispanic patients who have heart failure.
-
PET tracer to image cardiac amyloidosis
A new PET tracer is being developed to help visualize amyloid buildup in the heart, potentially helping people with amyloidosis and related heart disease.
-
Why losing parts of the Y chromosome may drive TTR heart amyloidosis in men
The team is looking at whether loss of the Y chromosome in blood cells helps explain why men develop transthyretin (TTR) heart amyloidosis.
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.