Understanding how heat affects platelets and clotting
Official title: Investigation of Temperature Sensitive Ion Channels in Platelets
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11353638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how high body temperature may change how platelets work and whether that could raise the risk of dangerous clotting in people like firefighters.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2026 |
| Project end | May 21, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $423,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES038666-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates may include individuals with conditions that heighten warmth-related clotting risk or people with occupational exposure to high heat, such as firefighters, pending future clinical validation.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without heat- or clotting-related risks may not directly benefit from this early-stage research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how elevated body temperature changes platelet behavior and blood clotting in a controlled setting. It uses laboratory experiments to mimic fever-range temperatures and observe the effects on platelet function and cell signals involved in apoptosis. The goal is to identify mechanisms that could lead to heat-related cardiovascular problems and point toward prevention or treatment approaches. Results could help improve safety guidance for people exposed to extreme heat and inform future clinical studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better prevention and management of heat-related clotting risks in at-risk populations.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior studies show heat can alter platelet behavior, but findings at realistic temperatures are limited and further work is needed to confirm clinical relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khasawneh, Fadi T — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Khasawneh, Fadi T
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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.