How lack of physical activity affects heart health through brain mechanisms
Official title: Contribution of neuroplasticity in the rostral ventrolateral medulla to physical inactivity-related cardiovascular disease
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-10991379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how not being active can affect your heart health by focusing on a part of the brain that controls important signals in your body, and it hopes to find new ways to help people who are at risk for heart disease because they don’t get enough exercise.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $556,551 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL161233-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who lead a sedentary lifestyle and are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already physically active and have no cardiovascular disease risk factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a sedentary lifestyle contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) by examining changes in a specific brain region known as the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). The study aims to understand the mechanisms that lead to increased sympathetic nervous system activity in individuals who are physically inactive. By exploring the relationship between physical inactivity and brain signaling pathways, the research seeks to identify potential targets for intervention. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating CVD related to inactivity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new approaches for preventing cardiovascular disease in individuals with sedentary lifestyles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding brain mechanisms related to physical activity can lead to significant advancements in cardiovascular health, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mueller, Patrick J — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Mueller, Patrick J
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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.