Investigating how brain signaling affects blood pressure and stress responses
Official title: Hypothalamic BDNF-mTOR signaling promotes hypertension by increasing cardiovascular sensitivity to stress
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-10892268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress from work and feeling lonely can affect your heart and blood pressure, and it hopes to find new ways to help people manage these issues better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | July 21, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $576,956 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166464-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young, normotensive individuals who experience chronic stress and may be at risk for developing hypertension.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who already have established hypertension or cardiovascular diseases may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how chronic psychological stressors, such as work-related stress and social isolation, can lead to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. It focuses on the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the hypothalamus, which may influence how the body responds to stress and regulates blood pressure. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to identify new therapeutic targets for preventing hypertension in individuals at risk. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to innovative treatments for managing blood pressure and stress-related cardiovascular issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help prevent hypertension and improve cardiovascular health in at-risk individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of stress and brain signaling in hypertension, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Erdos, Benedek — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Erdos, Benedek
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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.