Investigating how opioid receptors affect breathing in infants
Official title: Mu Opioid Receptors and Splice Variant Expression in Neonate Autoresuscitation
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11074051 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes might affect how newborns breathe and recover from breathing problems, which could help us understand Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) better and find ways to keep babies safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | February 26, 2024 |
| Project end | February 25, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32HL170536-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074051 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants under one year of age, particularly those at risk for respiratory issues or SIDS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than one year or do not have any respiratory concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of mu opioid receptors in the respiratory reflexes of neonates, particularly in the context of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The study aims to explore how genetic variations in the OPRM1 gene, which encodes these receptors, may influence the ability of infants to recover from breathing challenges. By using genetic knockout mouse models, the researchers will assess the impact of these receptors on respiratory dynamics and the autoresuscitation reflex in newborns. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms behind SIDS and potential interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in infants.
How similar studies have gone: While the association between opioid receptors and SIDS has been noted, this specific approach to understanding the genetic mechanisms is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Memos, Nicoletta K — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Memos, Nicoletta K
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.