Understanding how breathing changes with emotions and behaviors
Official title: Unraveling a parabrachial circuit for the state-dependent control of rapid breathing
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11001465 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our breathing changes when we feel different emotions, using specially modified mice to find out which parts of the brain control fast breathing during these feelings, and it could help us understand how our emotions affect our bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $797,260 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166317-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001465 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that affect breathing, particularly those influenced by anxiety or emotional stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable respiratory conditions that are not affected by emotional or behavioral changes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how breathing patterns can change based on emotional and behavioral states, particularly in awake animals. By using advanced techniques in genetically modified mice, the study aims to identify specific neural circuits in the brain that control rapid breathing during different emotional conditions. The researchers will employ tools like optogenetics to manipulate these circuits and observe their effects on breathing. This approach could provide insights into the complex relationship between our emotions and physiological responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for breathing disorders linked to emotional states, improving patient quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the neural control of breathing, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baertsch, Nathan Andrew — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Baertsch, Nathan Andrew
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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.