How early life stress affects blood pressure control later in life
Central Nervous System Reprogramming of the Control of Blood Pressure Induced by Early Life Stress
This study looks at how stress during childhood can change the brain in ways that might lead to high blood pressure later in life, helping us understand how your early experiences could affect your health today.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11010887 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how experiences of stress during childhood can lead to long-term changes in the brain that affect blood pressure regulation. By studying the central nervous system's response to early life stress, the researchers aim to understand the mechanisms that link adverse childhood experiences to hypertension in adulthood. The study involves examining the inflammatory processes in the brain that may contribute to heightened blood pressure responses when faced with new stressors later in life. Patients may benefit from insights into how their childhood experiences could influence their current health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced adverse childhood events and are currently dealing with hypertension or related cardiovascular issues.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced significant early life stress or do not have hypertension may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating hypertension linked to early life stress.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown a connection between early life stress and cardiovascular issues, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Alan Kim — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Alan Kim
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.