How dopamine affects blood vessel health in the retina
Official title: Dopamine Mediated Control of Retinal Vascular Integrity
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10864807 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a brain chemical called dopamine helps keep the tiny blood vessels in your eyes healthy, which is really important for good vision, especially during development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $612,894 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY032566-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10864807 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with retinal vascular diseases, particularly those related to diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without retinal vascular issues or those who do not have diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of dopamine, a brain chemical, in maintaining the health of blood vessels in the retina, which is crucial for vision. The study explores how dopamine signaling influences the growth and density of retinal blood vessels, particularly during development. Researchers will use specific techniques to manipulate dopamine receptors in retinal cells to understand their effects on vascular health. By identifying the mechanisms through which retinal ganglion cells produce dopamine and regulate blood vessels, this research aims to uncover new insights into retinal vascular diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for retinal diseases that affect vision, such as diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of dopamine in vascular health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Samuel, Melanie a — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Samuel, Melanie a
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.