Genes, gut bacteria, and choline in atrial fibrillation
Official title: Genes and Nutrition: Dietary Choline, the Gut Microbiota, and Atrial Fibrillation
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11408653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how dietary choline, gut microbes, and the chemical TMAO may influence atrial fibrillation and related heart risks in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $348,101 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL158502-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with atrial fibrillation or at risk for AF who are willing to provide dietary information, blood samples, and possibly microbiome samples.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AF risk factors or those unwilling to provide biological samples may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how what we eat interacts with gut bacteria to affect atrial fibrillation and its complications. Researchers plan to study the gut microbiome, TMAO production, and inflammatory pathways to understand how these factors may contribute to AF. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new ways to reduce AF risk and stroke in patients. This work uses human-relevant data and animal models to connect diet, microbes, and heart rhythm issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to dietary or microbiome-based strategies to lower AF risk and stroke in patients.
How similar studies have gone: There is emerging evidence linking gut microbiota and TMAO to cardiovascular disease, but direct links to AF require further study.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koeth, Robert Alden — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Koeth, Robert Alden
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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.