Finding genetic causes and treatment targets for carotid artery narrowing
Official title: Leveraging the Genetics of carotid stenosis for identifying novel risk factors and therapeutic opportunities
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11130972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses veterans' genetic data and medical records to find why carotid arteries narrow and help people at risk of stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006159-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11130972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are U.S. veterans enrolled in the VA or the Million Veteran Program, especially those with diagnosed carotid stenosis or cerebrovascular disease who agree to use of their genetic and medical record data.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not veterans, are not enrolled in VA research, or who do not share genetic or medical record data would likely not be able to participate or receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This project uses veterans' genetic information and VA medical records to find patterns linked to carotid artery narrowing. Researchers apply natural language processing to VA clinical notes to identify people with carotid stenosis and then run large-scale genetic analyses to find risk genes and biological pathways. They compare carotid disease genetics to those of coronary and peripheral artery disease to find what is unique to narrowing in the neck arteries and to highlight possible drug targets. The work uses data from the VA Million Veteran Program and clinical records rather than new procedures for participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better prediction of who will develop carotid artery narrowing and point to new treatments to reduce stroke risk.
How similar studies have gone: Large genetic studies have already found useful biology and drug targets for coronary and peripheral artery disease, but similar genetics work focused specifically on carotid stenosis is newer and less established.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Damrauer, Scott Michael — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Damrauer, Scott Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using genes to find new risk factors and treatments for carotid artery disease
Researchers are using big genetic data to uncover why carotid artery disease occurs and to find new ways to prevent and treat it for people at risk.
-
Identifying new risk factors and treatments for carotid artery narrowing
This study is looking into how our genes might affect carotid stenosis, a condition that can increase the risk of strokes, to help find better ways to prevent and treat it for people with heart-related issues.
-
IOP and CSF Pressure in Glaucoma Risk
This grant studies how eye pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure together influence glaucoma risk and vision loss.
-
ALS risk factors in a long-term ALS study
A long-term ALS study is looking at which factors may influence disease risk and progression in people living with ALS.
-
Understanding how work exposures and genes influence ALS risk
A study is building a long-term group of people at higher risk for ALS to see how their jobs, exposures at work, and genes together affect if and when the disease might develop.
-
P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetic, behavior, and vascular data
Aims to predict Alzheimer’s disease risk in middle-aged South Asians by combining genetic, lifestyle, and vascular information to catch early changes before dementia develops.
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.