How cortisol production affects heart health
Official title: Cortisol Production Mechanisms in impacting cardiovascular health
Funded at University of Nevada Reno · NIH-11372020 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether reducing a protein called AKAP11 can lower harmful stress hormones and help people with excess cortisol avoid heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Reno NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Reno, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2019 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $296,383 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM130459-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372020 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic cortisol overproduction such as Cushing's syndrome or related genetic stress disorders and increased cardiovascular risk are the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People whose heart disease is unrelated to cortisol or whose condition is driven by causes not addressed by AKAP11-targeting approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how the protein AKAP11 organizes signaling in the adrenal gland to control cortisol production using lab experiments and mouse models that mimic human cortisol overproduction. They will map the molecular steps by which AKAP11 affects cholesterol import into adrenal mitochondria, the first step in steroid production. The team will remove or reduce AKAP11 in a genetic mouse model of chronic stress-hormone excess and measure changes in hormone levels and signs of cardiovascular damage. Findings will help decide if targeting AKAP11 could be a new way to prevent heart harm from cortisol-driven disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that lower cortisol earlier in the production process and reduce heart disease risk for people with cortisol overproduction.
How similar studies have gone: Early animal experiments showed that lowering AKAP11 cut the mouse cortisol analog by about half, but targeting AKAP11 is a novel strategy not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Reno
Reno, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Omar, Mitchell Hamed — University of Nevada Reno
- Study coordinator: Omar, Mitchell Hamed
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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.