Understanding how obesity affects blood pressure regulation
Official title: Sympathetic neural patterns and transduction in obesity-associated hypertension
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10908739 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being overweight can affect blood pressure by exploring how stress impacts nerve signals that control blood vessels, and it aims to find new ways to help people with high blood pressure, especially those who are obese.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HL153777-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908739 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing hypertension, particularly those with obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hypertension or obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between obesity and hypertension by examining how sympathetic nervous activity influences blood pressure regulation. It focuses on the unique patterns of nerve signals that occur during stress and how these patterns may lead to increased blood vessel constriction. By studying these mechanisms in both animal models and humans, the research aims to identify new therapeutic targets for treating hypertension, particularly in individuals affected by obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for hypertension that are more effective for patients with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sympathetic nervous activity and its role in hypertension, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hearon, Christopher M — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hearon, Christopher M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting brain support cells to fight obesity-related high blood pressure
A study from the University of Iowa is looking at how brain cells called astrocytes may influence obesity-related hypertension and whether targeting them could help lower blood pressure.
-
Obesity, leptin, and immune system changes linked to high blood pressure in women with lupus
Aims to understand how obesity and leptin influence immune dysfunction and high blood pressure in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
-
Tissue transglutaminase as a target to reduce vascular stiffening and high blood pressure in obesity
A study explores whether blocking a specific enzyme in blood vessels can prevent stiffness and high blood pressure that often come with obesity.
-
Brainstem glial aging and dysfunction in obesity-related high blood pressure
This NIH grant explores how support cells in the brainstem (glia) become dysfunctional in obesity and contribute to high blood pressure, with findings that could lead to better treatments.
-
Angiotensin-(1-7) for obesity-related high blood pressure
This work looks at whether a natural hormone called angiotensin-(1-7) can lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel and metabolic health in people with obesity-linked hypertension.
-
How brain signals link obesity to high blood pressure
Looking at how brain signals in people with obesity cause high blood pressure to help find better ways to lower it.
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.