Melanocortin-4 receptor drugs to help sleep apnea in obesity

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

People with obesity-related sleep-disordered breathing often have high daytime CO2 levels and poor response to CO2 during sleep. This research looks at downstream targets of the leptin pathway, focusing on MC4R activation to improve breathing during sleep. The project uses animal models to identify how MC4R signaling could enhance the body’s response to CO2 and reduce sleep-related breathing problems, with the aim of translating findings toward a pharmacological option. If successful, this work could lay the groundwork for a new drug therapy to complement or replace non-invasive ventilation for some patients.

Why it matters

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

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.