Understanding how the heart’s nerves become overactive in heart disease
Official title: Molecular mechanisms of sympatho-excitation in cardiovascular disease
Funded at University of Nevada Reno · NIH-11401037 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why the heart’s sympathetic nerves release more of a key signal, neuropeptide Y, in heart disease and how this worsens outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Reno NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Reno, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $450,081 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174439-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401037 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with cardiovascular disease where sympathetic overactivity is a concern, or those whose care could benefit from future nerve-targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
This basic science work does not involve patient participation directly and may not benefit healthy individuals.
What this research studies
This grant aims to uncover the molecular changes in heart-nerve cells that lead to excessive sympathetic activity in cardiovascular disease. Using advanced live-cell imaging and a co-culture system with neonatal rat sympathetic neurons, the project will examine how NPY-containing vesicles are trafficked and released in diseased conditions. The findings could reveal new targets to prevent harmful nerve-driven effects in heart disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new ways to reduce harmful nerve signals and improve heart outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in related nervous system mechanisms has shown that controlling nerve signaling can affect heart outcomes, supporting potential relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Reno
Reno, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akin, Elizabeth — University of Nevada Reno
- Study coordinator: Akin, Elizabeth
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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.