Restoring heart nerve connections after a heart attack
Neurotrophins and post-infarct plasticity in cardiac sympathetic neurons
Looking at whether bringing back sympathetic nerves to the injured heart can lower the chance of dangerous heart rhythms in people who survive a heart attack.
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 ID | NIH-11065503 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at why loss of nerve supply after a heart attack raises the risk of life-threatening heart rhythms. Researchers will study how scar molecules (CSPGs) and a receptor called PTPσ block nerve regrowth and how reversing that block changes heart inflammation and signaling. Most experiments use laboratory and animal models informed by human observations to see which aspects of reinnervation are protective. The goal is to find approaches that could be turned into treatments to normalize heart nerve function after myocardial infarction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have recently had a myocardial infarction and are at increased risk for arrhythmias would be the most relevant group for this work.
Not a fit: People without a recent heart attack or whose arrhythmias are caused by unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new therapies that reduce post-heart-attack arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical studies show that removing CSPG inhibition or blocking PTPσ can restore nerve growth and reduce arrhythmias in animal models, but translating this to human therapy remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Habecker, Beth a — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Habecker, Beth a
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.