Investigating how a hormone can lower blood pressure by affecting brain pathways
Official title: Angiotensin-(1-7) engages hypothalamic arcuate-paraventricular nucleus inhibitory pathways to lower blood pressure
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-10898646 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a hormone called angiotensin-(1-7) might help lower blood pressure and improve health for people with high blood pressure related to obesity, by seeing how it works with certain brain cells that control blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $35,788 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HL170693-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898646 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are obese and have hypertension.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have obesity or hypertension may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of angiotensin-(1-7), a hormone that may help lower blood pressure and improve metabolic health in individuals with obesity-related hypertension. The study focuses on how this hormone interacts with specific neurons in the brain's hypothalamus, particularly those that release GABA, a neurotransmitter that can inhibit blood pressure regulation pathways. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to identify new treatment strategies that avoid the negative metabolic side effects of current antihypertensive drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that effectively lower blood pressure in obese patients without adverse metabolic effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar hormonal approaches in animal models, indicating potential for success in human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vernail, Victoria Lynn — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Vernail, Victoria Lynn
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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.