Understanding how baroreflex dysfunction affects high blood pressure
Official title: Investigating Afferent Baroreflex Dysfunction in Hypertension
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-10949799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems with certain nerves might affect people who have high blood pressure that doesn't respond to medication, with the hope of finding new ways to help manage their condition better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $136,350 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HL175100-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from drug-resistant hypertension who have not responded to standard antihypertensive medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-controlled hypertension or those who do not have hypertension may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of baroreflex dysfunction in patients with drug-resistant hypertension, a condition where blood pressure remains high despite multiple medications. The study aims to explore the neural mechanisms behind this dysfunction by selectively targeting sensory neurons in animal models. By understanding how these neural pathways contribute to hypertension, the research seeks to develop new therapeutic strategies that could improve blood pressure regulation. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective treatments for managing their condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for patients with drug-resistant hypertension, improving their blood pressure control.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of selectively targeting arterial baroreceptors is novel, previous studies have indicated that understanding neural mechanisms can lead to breakthroughs in hypertension treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El Saafien, Khalid — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: El Saafien, Khalid
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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.