Investigating how a hormone affects brain neurons related to obesity and high blood pressure
Official title: Role of FGF21 Action in Hypothalamic Neurons in Obesity-Associated Hypertension
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10991368 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a hormone called FGF21 affects certain brain cells that control blood pressure, to help find new ways to treat high blood pressure in people who are obese.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $538,156 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162773-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991368 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are obese and experiencing hypertension.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not obese or do not have hypertension may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between obesity and hypertension, a condition affecting over a billion people worldwide. It aims to identify how the hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) influences specific neurons in the brain that regulate blood pressure. By using advanced techniques to manipulate these neurons in specially designed mouse models, the researchers will explore how changes in FGF21 signaling can affect blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity. This could provide insights into new treatment strategies for managing hypertension associated with obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for controlling high blood pressure in individuals with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting FGF21 signaling in hypothalamic neurons is novel, similar research has shown promise in understanding the neuroendocrine regulation of blood pressure.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting brain support cells to fight obesity-related high blood pressure
A study from the University of Iowa is looking at how brain cells called astrocytes may influence obesity-related hypertension and whether targeting them could help lower blood pressure.
-
Obesity, leptin, and immune system changes linked to high blood pressure in women with lupus
Aims to understand how obesity and leptin influence immune dysfunction and high blood pressure in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
-
Tissue transglutaminase as a target to reduce vascular stiffening and high blood pressure in obesity
A study explores whether blocking a specific enzyme in blood vessels can prevent stiffness and high blood pressure that often come with obesity.
-
Brainstem glial aging and dysfunction in obesity-related high blood pressure
This NIH grant explores how support cells in the brainstem (glia) become dysfunctional in obesity and contribute to high blood pressure, with findings that could lead to better treatments.
-
Angiotensin-(1-7) for obesity-related high blood pressure
This work looks at whether a natural hormone called angiotensin-(1-7) can lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel and metabolic health in people with obesity-linked hypertension.
-
How brain signals link obesity to high blood pressure
Looking at how brain signals in people with obesity cause high blood pressure to help find better ways to lower it.
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.