Using partial electrical nerve block to improve heart function regulation
Official title: Investigation of Partial Electrical Nerve Block for Autonomic Regulation
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-10756990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people with heart disease by using gentle electrical signals to fine-tune how the nerves control the heart, aiming to make it safer and easier to manage conditions like heart failure and irregular heartbeats.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | January 6, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $400,122 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL150136-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10756990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with coronary heart disease or heart failure who experience autonomic dysregulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without heart disease or those who do not experience autonomic dysregulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to regulate heart function by using partial electrical nerve blocks to modulate autonomic control. The goal is to develop a method that can quickly and safely adjust the sympathetic nervous system's influence on the heart, which is crucial for patients with heart disease. By partially blocking nerve signals rather than completely shutting them down, the researchers aim to maintain some autonomic reflexes while improving heart stability. This method could potentially be used long-term to help manage conditions like heart failure and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve heart function and reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using electrical nerve blocks for various applications, but this specific approach of partial nerve blocking is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vrabec, Tina Louise — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Vrabec, Tina Louise
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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.