How Early Life Sodium Intake Affects Growth and Metabolism
Impact of Early Life Sodium Intake on Growth and Metabolism – Role of Hypothalamic Mechanisms
This project explores how the amount of sodium very low birth weight infants receive early in life might affect their growth and metabolism later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132594 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that very low birth weight infants often struggle with growth after birth, and this can be linked to heart and brain development issues. Our goal is to understand how early sodium levels might influence these outcomes. We are using advanced animal models and lab techniques to uncover the specific brain mechanisms involved. This work builds on observations that sodium levels can impact growth and that providing more sodium might help these infants grow better.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for very low birth weight infants who experience postnatal growth failure.
Not a fit: Patients who were not very low birth weight infants or did not experience early life growth failure may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to improved nutritional guidelines for very low birth weight infants, potentially preventing growth problems and related health issues.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in both animals and humans have shown that sodium intake can affect growth, and this project aims to uncover the underlying brain mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grobe, Justin L — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Grobe, Justin L
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.