Understanding how brain mechanisms affect breathing in people with high blood pressure
Official title: Enhanced central chemoreception contributes to breathing problems in hypertension
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-10997026 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific part of the brain helps control breathing when carbon dioxide levels change, especially in people with high blood pressure who might have trouble breathing steadily, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve both breathing and blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,713 |
| NIH project number | 1F31HL172642-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997026 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with hypertension who experience breathing abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without hypertension or those who do not experience breathing issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain regulates breathing in response to carbon dioxide levels, particularly focusing on a brain region called the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN). It aims to understand why individuals with high blood pressure may experience unstable breathing patterns. By studying both brain cells and blood vessels in animal models, the researchers will explore potential treatments that could improve breathing and blood pressure control. The findings could lead to new therapeutic targets for managing breathing issues associated with hypertension.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for breathing problems in patients with hypertension.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting brain mechanisms can improve breathing in other conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jolly, Michael Allen — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Jolly, Michael Allen
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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.