Using skin nerve activity to predict heart-related health outcomes
Official title: SKNA as a biomarker for cardiovascular events
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11087483 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how measuring nerve activity in the skin can help doctors understand how well patients are recovering after a cardiac arrest and if they might have heart rhythm problems again after treatment, using techniques that have worked well in dogs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $498,538 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL158952-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11087483 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include patients who have experienced cardiac arrest and are undergoing therapeutic hypothermia or those who have had catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cardiac events or those not undergoing the specified treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) can serve as a biomarker to predict neurological recovery in patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest and to assess the risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence following catheter ablation. The study utilizes advanced recording techniques developed in canine models, which have shown promising correlations with human nerve activity. By analyzing SKNA, the researchers aim to provide valuable insights into patient recovery and treatment effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved monitoring and treatment strategies for patients recovering from cardiac events.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using similar biomarker approaches in canine models, indicating potential for translation to human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Everett, Thomas H — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Everett, Thomas H
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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.