Finding genetic causes of congenital heart disease

Identifying unrecognized genetic causes of congenital heart disease

NIH-funded research Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11094004

This study is looking at the genes of babies with congenital heart disease to find out what might be causing their heart problems, which could help doctors understand and treat this condition better in the future.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11094004 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the genetic factors contributing to congenital heart disease (CHD), which is the most common birth defect. By analyzing the DNA of infants with CHD, the team aims to identify rare genetic variants that may explain cases where the cause is currently unknown. The study employs advanced techniques like whole exome and genome sequencing, as well as innovative assays to assess how these genetic variants affect heart development. This research could lead to a better understanding of CHD and potentially improve diagnosis and treatment options for affected infants.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants diagnosed with congenital heart disease, particularly those with unexplained cases.

Not a fit: Patients with congenital heart disease that has a clearly identified genetic cause may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and targeted therapies for congenital heart disease, improving outcomes for affected infants.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has successfully identified genetic causes of congenital heart disease using similar genomic approaches, indicating a promising avenue for this study.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.