Novel brain renin neurons and blood pressure control
Official title: ESI Project: Novel Renin-expressing Neurons in Hypertension
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11420079 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how brain cells that make renin could influence high blood pressure and whether targeting them could help treat hypertension.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $446,901 |
| NIH project number | 1P01HL180287-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420079 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with hypertension or those at risk who could participate in future translational or biomarker studies.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or those not aligned with the study’s focus on brain mechanisms of hypertension may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at a specific brain region where renin-expressing neurons may regulate autonomic balance and blood pressure. Researchers will use adeno-associated virus (AAV)–based methods to study the role of these neurons in sympathetic and parasympathetic control. The work aims to uncover new mechanisms behind resistant hypertension and explore potential avenues for future therapies. It does not involve testing a treatment on patients at this stage but could inform future clinical strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide development of new therapies to better balance autonomic control and lower cardiovascular risk in people with hypertension.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has begun to identify brain mechanisms in hypertension, with ongoing exploration suggesting this approach could yield meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nakagawa, Pablo — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Nakagawa, Pablo
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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.