Understanding Genes and Early Atrial Fibrillation
Investigating structural and genetic substrates of early-onset atrial fibrillation
This project aims to find genetic reasons why some children and young adults experience atrial fibrillation early in life and how these genes might affect their condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11087553 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many young people with early-onset atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat, find that treatments designed for adults don't work well for them. This can lead to frequent recurrences and the need for repeated medical procedures. Our team believes that specific genetic factors might be linked to how often atrial fibrillation comes back in children and young adults. We plan to collect information and genetic samples from patients with early-onset atrial fibrillation across several medical centers. By looking closely at their genes, we hope to identify patterns that explain why some experience more frequent episodes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and young adults (under 35 years old) who have experienced their first episode of atrial fibrillation.
Not a fit: Patients whose atrial fibrillation began later in life or is not related to genetic factors may not directly benefit from this specific genetic investigation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to predict who is at risk for frequent atrial fibrillation recurrences and help doctors choose more effective, personalized treatments for young patients.
How similar studies have performed: While adult treatments for atrial fibrillation have been studied, this project explores a novel genetic approach specifically for early-onset cases where current interventions are often ineffective.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webster, Robert Gregory — Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Webster, Robert Gregory
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.