Understanding what triggers inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases
Official title: Determinants of inception of inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11134568 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at what causes inflammation in people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis who are feeling really well, to help find ways to keep them healthy and prevent flare-ups in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,048,416 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK127171-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134568 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who are currently in deep remission.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with active inflammation or those who have not been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the underlying factors that lead to inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. By focusing on a specific group of patients in deep remission, the study aims to identify microbial, metabolic, and genetic changes that may predict relapse. The approach involves comprehensive profiling of biological samples over time to uncover the mechanisms behind inflammation onset. This could lead to better-targeted therapies and interventions to maintain remission.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that help maintain remission in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding inflammatory bowel diseases through similar profiling approaches, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ananthakrishnan, Ashwin N — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ananthakrishnan, Ashwin N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Comparative care for IBD in Hispanic patients
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-
Understanding why some people with inflammatory bowel disease fail therapy
A physician-scientist at UNC is pursuing why inflammatory bowel disease treatment stops working so therapies can be kept effective longer.
-
Celiac and IBD: unlocking how genes influence disease with DNA methylation
A research project aims to use genetic and epigenetic clues to better understand why celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease affect people differently and how they respond to treatment.
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How genes and DNA changes influence celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease
This project looks for DNA changes that alter gene activity to help predict risk, severity, and treatment response for people with celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
-
Finding ways to block bacterial enzymes that worsen inflammatory bowel diseases
This project looks for new ways to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis by targeting specific enzymes made by gut bacteria.
-
Using nanoparticles to deliver epigenetic treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases
This study is exploring a new way to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease by using tiny particles to deliver special medicines that can help reduce inflammation in your colon, aiming for a treatment that works better and has fewer side effects.
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.