How stress affects inflammation and heart disease
Neural and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Stress-Induced Inflammatory Responses
This study is looking at how stress affects inflammation in the body and can lead to heart problems, and it's for people who want to understand the connection between stress and their heart health; participants will experience stress while getting brain scans and blood tests to see how their bodies react, and they’ll also explore if a certain medication can help reduce these effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10844153 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the biological mechanisms linking psychological stress to inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD). By using advanced imaging techniques and blood analysis, the study aims to identify how stress triggers inflammatory responses in the body. Participants will undergo fMRI scans while experiencing stress, and their blood will be tested for inflammatory markers before and after the stressor. The research also explores the potential of beta-adrenergic blockers to mitigate these stress-induced inflammatory responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease who experience significant psychological stress.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience stress-related health issues or have pre-existing severe cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease by targeting stress-related inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the link between stress and inflammation, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muscatell, Keely Ann — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Muscatell, Keely Ann
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.