Understanding Inflammation in Heart Disease
Integrated epidemiology of systemic and plaque-specific immunologic features of human atherosclerosis
This project aims to better understand how inflammation contributes to heart disease in adults, hoping to find new ways to treat it more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138648 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many adults over 50 experience a condition called atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in arteries and can lead to serious heart events like heart attacks or strokes. A major factor in this progression is ongoing inflammation, which current treatments don't always fully address without causing side effects. Our goal is to look closely at the immune cells involved in inflammation within the blood and in the plaques themselves. By studying these cells in detail, we hope to discover more precise ways to target inflammation, leading to safer and more effective treatments for heart disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for related studies might be adults over 50 with existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who are experiencing ongoing inflammation.
Not a fit: Patients without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or those not experiencing inflammation may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, more targeted treatments for heart disease that reduce inflammation with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have performed: While previous experimental and population studies have shown links between immune cells and heart disease, this project aims to fill a critical gap by providing more detailed, longitudinal human data on these relationships.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feinstein, Matthew Joel — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Feinstein, Matthew Joel
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 below.