How calcium changes cause dangerous heart rhythms in ARVC
Mechanisms of calcium-induced arrhythmias in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Researchers are looking at how abnormal calcium signals in heart cells lead to dangerous rhythms in people with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248032 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model that mimics human ARVC by turning off the PKP2 gene to recreate the early, 'concealed' stage when arrhythmias occur before structural heart damage. Scientists are examining calcium handling at the tiny cell regions around the ryanodine receptor (RyR2) to see how it becomes abnormal and sparks arrhythmias. They study heart tissue and cellular calcium signals at multiple time points after gene loss to map the sequence of molecular changes. The team aims to identify specific steps that could be targeted by drugs to prevent dangerous heart rhythms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ARVC, carriers of PKP2 or other desmosomal gene mutations, or individuals with unexplained ventricular arrhythmias are the most relevant groups for this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart disease is due to non‑desmosomal causes or who have advanced end‑stage heart failure are less likely to receive direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets or prevention strategies to stop life‑threatening arrhythmias in people with ARVC.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies have pointed to calcium mishandling in ARVC and support this direction, but turning those findings into effective patient treatments has not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alvarado, Francisco J — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Alvarado, Francisco J
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.