Understanding Heart Metabolism in Heart Failure

Probing the Role of Mitochondrial Short-chain Carbon Homeostasis in the Hypertrophied and Failing Heart

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-11328885

This work explores how the heart's energy use changes during heart failure to find new ways to help patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11328885 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Current treatments for heart failure often take a general approach, but there's a need for therapies that directly target the heart in its early stages. We know that as heart failure develops, the heart's ability to generate energy becomes disrupted, shifting from using fats to other fuels like sugar. This project aims to understand how these fuel changes are linked to the heart's declining energy function and the progression of heart failure. By identifying specific issues in how the heart processes fats, we hope to uncover new targets for treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is for patients with heart failure, particularly those in early stages, as it seeks to understand the underlying metabolic changes in their hearts.

Not a fit: Patients without heart failure or those whose condition is not related to mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, targeted therapies that directly improve the heart's energy function and prevent the progression of heart failure.

How similar studies have performed: While the link between fuel shifts and mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure has been observed, this project aims to establish a direct causal connection and identify specific bottlenecks, making its approach novel.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.