Mitochondrial DNA differences linked to sudden cardiac arrest risk and recovery
Human Mitochondrial Variation and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk and Resuscitation
This research looks at whether differences in mitochondrial DNA affect a person's risk of sudden cardiac arrest and their chances of recovery after resuscitation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251647 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will compare mitochondrial DNA amount and quality (including copy number, haplotypes, and somatic mutations called heteroplasmy) using blood or tissue samples from people who have had cardiac arrest and matched controls. They will apply a new computational tool to precisely measure mitochondrial mutations and link those findings to medical records about heart disease, ventricular fibrillation, and survival after resuscitation. The team will look for mitochondrial markers that predict who is more likely to have a sudden cardiac arrest and who is more likely to suffer severe heart or brain injury after resuscitation. Results could help guide prevention efforts or identify biological targets to improve survival and recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates include people with ischemic heart disease, survivors of ventricular fibrillation or sudden cardiac arrest, and patients willing to provide blood or tissue samples and medical records.
Not a fit: People without cardiac disease, those unwilling to provide genetic samples or medical records, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment would not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest and point to new ways to improve survival and protect the heart and brain after resuscitation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown mitochondrial DNA copy number is linked to sudden cardiac arrest risk, while combining haplotype and heteroplasmy analyses is a newer approach with promising early results.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arking, Dan E — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Arking, Dan E
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 below.