Investigating the brain circuits involved in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Official title: SIDS, failed autoresuscitation, and a novel serotonergic brainstem-cerebellar circuit
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11107964 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain signals might affect babies' ability to respond in dangerous situations, which could help us understand Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) better and find ways to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $720,741 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL179313-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11107964 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants who are at risk for SIDS, particularly those with a history of hypoxic events or other related risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than infancy or those without any risk factors associated with SIDS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms that may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), particularly how serotonin receptors in specific brain regions affect the body's ability to respond to life-threatening situations. By examining the serotonergic dysfunction in infants who have died from SIDS, the study aims to identify how reduced serotonin and receptor activity may lead to cardiovascular collapse during critical moments. The research will utilize animal models to explore the brainstem-cerebellar circuits involved in autoresuscitation and how these may be impacted by factors like intermittent hypoxia. Through this approach, the study seeks to uncover potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for preventing SIDS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing SIDS by identifying critical biological markers and understanding the underlying mechanisms of autoresuscitation failure.
How similar studies have gone: While research on SIDS has been ongoing, this specific approach focusing on serotonergic circuits and autoresuscitation is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cummings, Kevin James — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Cummings, Kevin James
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.