Understanding Nerve and Glia Communication in the Sympathetic System
Neuron-satellite glia interactions in the sympathetic nervous system
This project explores how nerve cells and their support cells, called satellite glia, work together in the sympathetic nervous system, which controls many body functions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127402 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The sympathetic nervous system helps regulate important body functions, and problems with it are linked to conditions like heart failure and high blood pressure. While we know a lot about nerve cells, the support cells called satellite glia are less understood. This work aims to discover how these nerve cells and satellite glia communicate and form connections during development. We believe that signals from other parts of the body guide how these cells interact. Understanding these interactions could help us learn how disruptions might lead to health problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future clinical applications may target individuals with sympathetic nervous system dysfunctions.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical interventions would not receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide a deeper understanding of how the sympathetic nervous system functions, potentially leading to new ways to address conditions like chronic heart failure, hypertension, and insulin resistance.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of satellite glia in restricting neuron activity has been recently revealed, the specific mechanisms of their development and communication with neurons are largely unexplored, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuruvilla, Rejji — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Kuruvilla, Rejji
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.