The relationship between dietary choline, gut bacteria, and heart rhythm disorders.
Official title: Genes and Nutrition: Dietary Choline, the Gut Microbiota, and Atrial Fibrillation
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10896388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the nutrient choline in our food affects gut bacteria and may play a role in heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation, and it invites patients to share their diet and health information to help find better ways to treat this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $394,446 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL158502-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for atrial fibrillation, particularly those with obesity, a history of alcohol abuse, or other cardiovascular risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have atrial fibrillation or related cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how dietary choline, a nutrient found in foods, interacts with gut microbiota and contributes to atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart rhythm disorder. The study aims to understand the mechanisms by which gut bacteria metabolize choline into substances that may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. By examining the links between diet, gut health, and heart rhythm, the research seeks to identify new treatment pathways for AF that could improve patient outcomes. Patients may be involved in providing dietary information and biological samples to help elucidate these connections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new dietary recommendations or treatments that reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation and its complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results linking gut microbiota and cardiovascular health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koeth, Robert Alden — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Koeth, Robert Alden
Related research
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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.