Investigating how vagal nerve stimulation can improve heart failure treatment
Official title: Afferent Mechanisms of Vagal Neuromodulation Therapy
Funded at East Tennessee State University · NIH-11141910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy can help improve heart failure by figuring out how it activates certain brain cells, with the goal of finding better ways to treat heart failure for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Johnson City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2018 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $699,249 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL141560-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from heart failure who may benefit from novel therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiovascular conditions or those who do not have heart failure may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the mechanisms behind vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy, which is already approved for certain central nervous system disorders. The study aims to understand how VNS can activate specific neurons in the brain that may help improve heart failure outcomes. By examining the activation of these neurons and their pathways, the researchers hope to identify optimal conditions for VNS therapy. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective treatment protocols for heart failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with heart failure through enhanced vagal nerve stimulation techniques.
How similar studies have gone: While VNS therapy has shown promise in preclinical studies, large patient trials have had mixed results, indicating that this research could provide new insights into an area that has not yet achieved consistent success.
Where this research is happening
-
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beaumont, Eric — East Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Beaumont, Eric
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.