Understanding how airway inflammation affects fear and anxiety

Airway inflammation and fear: elucidating immune mediators and neural substrates

NIH-funded research University of Cincinnati · NIH-10979197

This study is looking at how inflammation from severe asthma might affect fear and anxiety in people with PTSD, using mice to understand the connection better, which could lead to new treatments for those dealing with both conditions.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Cincinnati NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cincinnati, United States)
Project IDNIH-10979197 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between airway inflammation, particularly from severe asthma, and fear regulation in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By using mouse models, the study aims to uncover the immune and neural mechanisms that link asthma-related factors to fear dysregulation. The researchers will explore how specific immune signals, like IL-17A, affect brain regions involved in fear processing, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches for those suffering from PTSD and asthma. The findings could help identify individuals at risk for PTSD based on their immune responses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of severe asthma and symptoms of PTSD.

Not a fit: Patients without asthma or those who do not experience PTSD symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve mental health outcomes for patients with PTSD, especially those with asthma.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between immune responses and mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Cincinnati, 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.
Conditions Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeAdult Respiratory Distress SyndromeAutoimmune Diseases
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.