How cold affects the sense of touch in animals
Official title: Molecular mechanisms of somatosensory adaptation to prolonged hypothermia
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11003742 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how thirteen-lined ground squirrels can still feel touch even when they get really cold, and by learning about their unique abilities, researchers hope to find new ways to help people with touch-related issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | December 21, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $490,660 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS132868-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003742 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with sensory processing disorders or those who have experienced nerve damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to sensory dysfunction or those not experiencing any sensory issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the sense of touch adapts in animals, specifically focusing on the thirteen-lined ground squirrel during periods of prolonged cold. By studying these squirrels, which can still detect mechanical stimuli even when their body temperature drops significantly, the researchers aim to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms that allow for this adaptation. The approach involves biophysical analysis of the sensory receptors responsible for mechanosensitivity, providing insights into how these processes function under extreme conditions. This understanding could lead to advancements in treating sensory dysfunctions in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for sensory dysfunctions in humans, improving quality of life for those affected.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of studying hibernating squirrels is novel, similar research has shown that understanding animal adaptations can lead to breakthroughs in human medicine.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bagriantsev, Sviatoslav — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Bagriantsev, Sviatoslav
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Community Health Worker–Led Hypertension Prevention and Control in Nepal
A community health worker–driven approach in Nepal aims to prevent and control high blood pressure among adults by bringing education and care directly to communities and homes.
-
Community health worker-led hypertension prevention and control in Nepal
A community health worker–led program in Nepal aims to help adults prevent and better control high blood pressure through home visits, education, and ongoing support.
-
Adapting a mobile health tool to boost HIV outcomes for older adults with HIV in Ukraine
A mobile health platform called PositiveLinks would be adapted for older adults with HIV in Ukraine to help them stay engaged in care and improve treatment success.
-
Behavioral and neural links between spoken language sounds and written words in young children
This grant studies how young children learn from listening and reading to improve literacy, by looking at how sound patterns transfer to written language.
-
Understanding how autoimmunity causes myasthenia gravis
This project looks at why the immune system attacks the nerve-muscle connection in myasthenia gravis and how different patient groups are affected.
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.