Understanding the causes of familial dilated cardiomyopathy to improve treatment options
Official title: Unraveling the pathogenesis of familial dilated cardiomyopathy towards precision medicine
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11212025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a heart condition called familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and is testing how a protein called ATF4 can help improve heart function, with the hope of finding new treatments for people with DCM, no matter what genetic changes they have.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2018 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $91,843 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL139679-07S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11212025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with familial dilated cardiomyopathy, particularly those with specific genetic mutations affecting heart function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-familial forms of dilated cardiomyopathy or those without a genetic basis for their condition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition that can lead to heart failure. The team is exploring the role of a specific protein, ATF4, which helps cells respond to stress, and how it can be targeted to develop new therapies. By using patient-derived cells and advanced gene therapy techniques, the researchers aim to find ways to improve heart function in individuals with DCM, regardless of the specific genetic mutations they carry. The study involves both laboratory experiments and potential treatments in living models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve heart function and quality of life for patients with familial dilated cardiomyopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting stress response pathways for heart conditions, suggesting that this approach could be effective, although the specific application of ATF4 in DCM is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karakikes, Ioannis — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Karakikes, Ioannis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Discovery of rare genetic variants linked to dilated cardiomyopathy using big biobank data
A large-scale genetic study will look for rare gene variants that affect dilated cardiomyopathy to improve how we diagnose and manage the condition.
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Understanding how muscle ribosome mutations cause severe neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy and ways to treat it
This grant focuses on a rare genetic heart condition in newborns caused by mutations in a muscle-specific ribosomal protein, with hopes to find new ways to diagnose and treat it.
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Unlocking how rare genetic changes cause dilated cardiomyopathy
A large study will look at genetic data from many people to understand which rare variants affect dilated cardiomyopathy and how this changes risk and treatment.
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Role of Lmod2 in heart muscle and dilated cardiomyopathy
This NIH grant explores how a heart-specific protein (Lmod2) helps heart cells contract properly and how its problems can cause dilated cardiomyopathy in infants and children.
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Targeting DNA Damage Pathways in LMNA-Related Heart Disease
A study to understand how damaged DNA and inflammatory signals contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy caused by LMNA mutations and explore therapies that can protect the heart.
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Using miRNA to find new treatment paths for dilated cardiomyopathy
Researchers are studying heart-muscle disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) to discover miRNA-based clues that could lead to targeted therapies for patients.
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.