Understanding a New Way to Control Heart Rhythm Problems
Official title: Novel Roles of Protein phosphatase 2A in Cardiac Arrhythmia
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11128719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores how a specific protein in the heart helps regulate electrical signals, aiming to find new ways to prevent dangerous heart rhythm issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $642,466 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL175380-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is for patients interested in the underlying causes of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly those related to sodium channel dysfunction and sudden cardiac death.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical trial participation may not find direct benefit from this early-stage basic science research.
What this research studies
Sudden cardiac death and irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmias, are serious health concerns worldwide. This project focuses on tiny electrical channels in the heart called voltage-gated sodium channels, which are crucial for how heart muscle cells work. While we know a lot about how these channels cause problems, less is understood about how to turn down their harmful activity. We are looking at a protein called PP2A and its B56α part, which appears to play a key role in controlling these electrical signals and could offer a new target for treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications or therapies that specifically target the identified protein pathway to prevent or treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work by this team has identified this pathway, suggesting a promising new direction for understanding and potentially treating arrhythmias.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El Refaey, Mona — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: El Refaey, Mona
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Precision imaging of heart rhythms to map arrhythmias without surgery
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New roles for a heart protein in preventing dangerous rhythms
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-
Understanding how small potassium channels affect heart rhythm and disease
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3D ultrasound mapping to locate sources of abnormal heart rhythms
This project uses a fast, radiation-free 3D ultrasound method to find where irregular heartbeats start in adults with arrhythmias.
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Exploring the mechanisms behind heart rhythm disorders
This conference is all about helping doctors and researchers understand what causes irregular heartbeats, so they can find better ways to diagnose and treat these issues for people at risk of serious health problems like strokes or sudden heart failure.
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AI and 4D ultrasound to pinpoint where abnormal heart rhythms begin
Uses AI together with time-resolved 3D (4D) ultrasound to find where abnormal heart rhythms start in people with arrhythmias.
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.