Understanding how certain brain circuits affect heart and breathing responses to low oxygen levels
Official title: A critical forebrain-brainstem circuit contributes to the adaptive and maladaptive cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11027688 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain circuits react to low oxygen levels, which often happen in people with obstructive sleep apnea, to better understand how this affects blood pressure and could lead to new treatments for those dealing with similar breathing issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $644,687 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL176932-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11027688 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea or related cardiovascular issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any history of sleep apnea or cardiovascular disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific brain circuits involving orexin and corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons respond to low oxygen levels, a condition often seen in obstructive sleep apnea. By using advanced techniques, the study aims to understand how these circuits influence the body's cardiovascular responses, particularly in terms of hypertension. Patients with conditions that lead to chronic intermittent hypoxia may benefit from insights gained through this research, which could lead to new treatment strategies. The research will involve both laboratory experiments and innovative methods to manipulate brain activity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for managing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases associated with sleep apnea and other conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain circuits related to cardiovascular responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cummings, Kevin James — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Cummings, Kevin James
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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.