Peripheral nervous system targets to reduce heart rhythm problems in high blood pressure and heart failure
Official title: Peripheral Sympathetic Dysfunction in Cardiac Disease
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11325468 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project looks at how the nerves outside the brain influence dangerous heart rhythms in people with high blood pressure and heart failure, with the goal of finding new ways to reduce these risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $672,417 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL146833-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325468 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with hypertension or heart failure who are at risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are most relevant to this work, and may benefit from future translational advances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without hypertension or heart failure or without risk of malignant arrhythmias may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This study focuses on how peripheral nervous system signals contribute to abnormal heart rhythms in people with cardiovascular disease. Researchers will examine how post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons and cholinergic signaling affect cardiac nerve activity, and how this activity changes with hypertension. They plan to use advanced models to test whether blocking or modulating these peripheral pathways can reduce arrhythmia risk. The work builds on prior findings that certain nerve interactions may drive harmful heart excitation and explores the biology behind these processes. Overall, the project aims to identify peripheral targets that could lead to better strategies for preventing sudden cardiac death in patients with hypertension and heart failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new peripheral nerve–focused therapies that lower the likelihood of dangerous heart rhythms in people with high blood pressure and heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies showed that peripheral nervous system signals influence cardiac activity, and this project aims to build on those findings with more detailed mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Habecker, Beth a — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Habecker, Beth a
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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.