How the hormone FGF21 in the brain may cause high blood pressure in obesity
Official title: Role of FGF21 Action in Hypothalamic Neurons in Obesity-Associated Hypertension
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11235148 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work tests whether the hormone FGF21 acting in specific brain cells causes high blood pressure in people with obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $585,994 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162773-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11235148 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity who have high blood pressure would be the most relevant group for future trials based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
People whose high blood pressure is unrelated to obesity, children, and pregnant people are less likely to benefit directly from this specific research.
What this research studies
Researchers are using genetically engineered mice to see how FGF21 signals in a specific set of hypothalamus neurons (SF1 neurons) affect blood pressure in obesity. They will turn these neurons on or off using techniques like optogenetics and chemogenetics while measuring sympathetic nerve activity and arterial pressure in freely moving animals. The team will compare results in normal-weight and obese animals to find how obesity changes this hormonal–brain circuit. Findings could point to brain-based targets to lower blood pressure in people with obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, the findings could reveal new brain-targeted ways to lower blood pressure in people with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies have linked FGF21 to metabolism, but using hypothalamic SF1 neuron manipulation to explain obesity-related hypertension is a novel approach not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rahmouni, Kamal — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Rahmouni, Kamal
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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.