Gut microbiome and heart disease risk in Asian American and Pacific Islander adults
Official title: Coronary Atherosclerotic Burden in AsA-NHPI: the Role of the Gut Microbiome
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11418013 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Johns Hopkins-style patient-friendly summary: this study will look at how the gut microbiome relates to early heart artery changes in AsA-NHPI adults to help prevent heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,202,194 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL178710-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418013 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years or older who identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander and have or are at risk for ASCVD.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the AsA-NHPI groups or those without interest in microbiome-based prevention may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will recruit AsA-NHPI adults and collect gut microbiome samples, CAC imaging, and clinical data to explore links between gut bacteria, fungi, and viruses with early coronary artery calcification. Researchers will compare microbiome profiles across subgroups and examine how these profiles relate to traditional risk factors and CAC scores. By integrating microbial data with heart-artery imaging, the study aims to identify microbiome patterns that could inform personalized prevention strategies. The work builds on preliminary findings showing distinct microbiomes in AsA-NHPI populations and potential associations with early atherosclerosis. Ultimately, results could guide new, microbiome-informed approaches to reducing cardiovascular risk in these communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to personalized prevention strategies for heart disease based on an individual's gut microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest distinct microbiome profiles in AsA-NHPI individuals and links to early atherosclerosis, but human data in these populations are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahn, Jiyoung — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ahn, Jiyoung
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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.