Impact of chronic intermittent hypoxia on atrial resting membrane potential and Nav1.5 channel function: A new mechanism for causing atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), sending the top chambers of the heart (the atria) into spasm. AF is dangerous because it significantly increases the likelihood of stroke, so finding effective ways to prevent or treat the condition is important. Abnormal breathing patterns during sleep are often associated with AF, and these researchers are studying why. If you don’t breathe properly during sleep the body is exposed to repeated periods of low oxygen levels, called chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). In pilot studies, these researchers have found that even brief CIH affects the electrical properties of the atria. They propose that the low oxygen levels impact the function of a channel through which sodium ions flow, which is vital for the electrical current required in a normal heart rhythm. In this project the team will study, in mice, how CIH affects this specific ion channel and how other genes in the cells of the atria are changed. They will also test whether drugs targeting this channel could protect against AF caused by CIH. This work could lead to new strategies to prevent AF in people who live with sleep related breathing disorders.
Project details
| Grant amount | £221,234 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 October 2017 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/17/30/32961 |
| Status | In Progress |
