NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Investigating the progression of heart disease in diverse populations

Official title: MULTI-ETHNIC STUDY OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS (MESA), FIELD CENTER (FC): TASK AREA A - CORE OPERATIONS

Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11292459 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at heart health in a diverse group of men and women aged 45-84 who don’t have any symptoms, using tests like CT scans and MRIs to spot early signs of heart disease and understand how it develops over time.

More Atherosclerosis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project startDecember 19, 2024
Project endApril 11, 2025
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$281,678
NIH project number75N92020D00005-0-759202500001-1
Project IDNIH-11292459 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are men and women aged 45-84 with no prior evidence of clinical cardiovascular disease.

Less likely to help

Patients who are younger than 45 or those with existing cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) examines the early signs and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in a diverse group of men and women aged 45-84 who initially showed no symptoms. Participants undergo various imaging tests and assessments, including CT scans and MRIs, to evaluate their heart and blood vessel health. The study aims to track changes over time and identify predictors of heart disease, providing valuable insights into how this condition develops across different ethnic groups. By continuously following participants for clinical events, the research seeks to enhance understanding of cardiovascular health.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease tailored to diverse populations.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on cardiovascular health in diverse populations have shown promising results, indicating that this approach is both relevant and necessary.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Watson, Karol E — University of California Los Angeles
  • Study coordinator: Watson, Karol E

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.