Leptin, intermittent hypoxia, and carotid body signals in obesity-related sleep apnea
Official title: Leptin and intermittent hypoxia interactions in the carotid bodies: mechanisms and consequences
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11413697 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at GWU explores how obesity and sleep apnea interact through leptin and carotid body signals to influence blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2016 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $698,306 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL133100-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413697 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with obesity-related sleep apnea who have hypertension or are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without obesity or sleep apnea or those without cardiovascular risk may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how intermittent low oxygen during sleep (IH) and obesity affect the carotid body, a key sensor that drives sympathetic activity and blood pressure. Researchers have found that leptin may increase carotid body activity and raise blood pressure in obesity, and this grant seeks to map how IH and obesity together change this pathway. Using animal models, they will identify molecular targets in the carotid body that respond differently to IH and obesity and test how these changes could be treated to prevent cardiovascular problems linked to sleep apnea. The work aims to translate these findings toward therapies that reduce hypertension in people with obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat hypertension in people with sleep apnea and obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show obesity affects carotid body signaling via leptin, supporting the plausibility of this approach, but the specific IH–obesity interactions are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Polotsky, Vsevolod Y — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Polotsky, Vsevolod Y
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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.