Optogenetic silence to reduce harmful heart rhythms via kidney nerves in chronic heart failure
Official title: Optogenetic silencing to achieve antiarrhythmic effect of renal denervation in chronic heart failure
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11411192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach uses light to quiet kidney-nerve signals to lower dangerous heart rhythms in people with chronic heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | August 28, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $569,442 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169476-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with chronic heart failure and a high risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic heart failure or with very different heart rhythm problems may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how turning off certain kidney-nerve pathways with light could prevent abnormal heart rhythms in people with chronic heart failure. It builds on animal studies to understand how immune cells and inflammation in nerve clusters influence heart excitability, and how this could be controlled to reduce arrhythmias. If successful, this work could guide a future clinical strategy that minimizes side effects seen with other kidney-denervation methods. The research will test targeted, precision techniques to modulate nerve activity and inflammatory signals related to arrhythmia risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If later translated to patients, this approach could reduce dangerous heart rhythms while avoiding some complications of broader nerve disruption.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest that targeted nerve modulation can influence arrhythmias, but translating this to safe clinical options remains ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yu-Long — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Li, Yu-Long
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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.