How aging changes blood flow in the heart
Metabolic regulation of myocardial perfusion in the aging heart
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE · NIH-11182527
This project looks at how age-related changes in heart cell metabolism can reduce blood flow to the heart and cause problems during stress.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOUISVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11182527 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project aims to understand why older hearts can't always increase blood flow when you need it, like during exercise or other stress. Scientists are focusing on chemical signals between heart muscle cells and tiny coronary blood vessels, especially changes in the NADH:NAD redox balance and voltage-gated potassium channel activity. They will use laboratory models of aging heart tissue and cellular experiments to show how disruption of this signaling leads to low blood flow and acute pump failure under stress. The findings could point to new targets for therapies to restore proper blood flow in older people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most relevant to this work are older adults with coronary artery disease, ischemia, reduced exercise tolerance, or other age-related heart dysfunction.
Not a fit: Young healthy people or patients with conditions unrelated to heart blood flow are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this primarily lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify targets for treatments that restore coronary blood flow in older adults and reduce heart failure during stress.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown NADH-linked signaling and Kv channel effects in cell and animal models, but applying these findings to aging human hearts remains novel.
Where this research is happening
LOUISVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE — LOUISVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HILL, BRADFORD GUY — UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- Study coordinator: HILL, BRADFORD GUY
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 below.
Conditions: Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease