Understanding how the lungs communicate with the brain during development
Official title: Unravelling lung interoception and its functional consequence in the developing ovine lung
Funded at Loma Linda University · NIH-10908555 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the lungs and the brain work together in young sheep to see how this affects breathing and lung health, which could help us understand and treat breathing problems in newborns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loma Linda University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Loma Linda, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $488,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT011691-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908555 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and young children, particularly those with respiratory issues or those born via cesarean delivery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully developed lungs and no history of respiratory problems may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between the lungs and the central nervous system (CNS) in developing sheep to understand how this communication affects lung function and development. By using advanced techniques, the researchers aim to map the neural pathways that carry important information about lung health and responses to environmental changes. The study focuses on how these pathways develop and their role in maintaining proper breathing and immune responses in newborns. The findings could provide insights into lung development and potential treatments for respiratory issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of respiratory conditions in newborns and children.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, similar studies have shown success in understanding lung development and its implications for respiratory health.
Where this research is happening
-
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blood, Arlin B — Loma Linda University
- Study coordinator: Blood, Arlin B
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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.