How brain support cells shape daily blood pressure rhythms
Official title: The Role of Astrocytes in Circadian Control of Blood Pressure in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract
Funded at Rowan University · NIH-11290796 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how astrocytes, a type of brain support cell, help control daily blood pressure patterns that may go awry in people with disrupted sleep schedules like shift workers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rowan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Glassboro, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $161,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153695-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290796 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who work rotating shifts or have chronic circadian disruption and elevated blood pressure or other cardiovascular risk factors would be the most relevant group for future human studies stemming from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with normal sleep schedules and well-controlled blood pressure are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific research in the near term.
What this research studies
This work focuses on astrocytes in a brain region called the nucleus of the solitary tract (nTS), which helps control blood pressure. Researchers will use laboratory experiments and animal models to mimic shift work and circadian misalignment and then measure how astrocyte function and glutamate transport affect nerve signals that set blood pressure across the day-night cycle. The team will study synapses in the nTS to see whether changes in astrocyte glutamate transporters alter blood pressure regulation. For people who work rotating shifts or have disrupted sleep, these findings could help explain why blood pressure and heart health worsen with circadian disruption.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new biological targets to prevent or treat high blood pressure linked to shift work and circadian disruption.
How similar studies have gone: Previous human and animal studies connect circadian disruption to higher blood pressure, but targeting astrocytes in the nTS is a relatively new and mostly preclinical approach with limited prior testing.
Where this research is happening
-
Rowan University
Glassboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez, Diana — Rowan University
- Study coordinator: Martinez, Diana
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Actions to Decrease Disparities in Blood Pressure Control for Blacks
Aiming to help Black patients manage high blood pressure by using nurses, community health workers, and home monitoring in real-world clinics.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
-
Non-invasive, continuous blood pressure monitoring for prenatal maternal health
A wearable device from PyrAmes uses comfortable, non-invasive sensors and smart software to constantly monitor a pregnant person’s blood pressure and heart health so doctors can protect both mom and baby.
-
Smartphone app helps pregnant women in Ghana monitor blood pressure at home
A smartphone app is being customized for pregnant women in Ghana to support home blood pressure monitoring and improve safety during pregnancy.
-
Nap duration during night shifts and blood pressure health
A Phase II study will test how long night shift naps should be to restore normal blood pressure patterns and maintain safe performance, while considering caffeine use, for night workers.
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.