The influence of Neuropeptide-Y on coronary perfusion and arrhythmogenicity
The speed and strength of the heartbeat can be increased by a group of nerves that work by releasing a chemical called norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. Whilst norepinephrine is useful in healthy individuals during exercise, it can trigger life threatening heart rhythms following a heart attack when the hearts’ blood supply becomes blocked and part of the heart starts to die. Drugs called beta-blockers, which were introduced over 50 years ago, stop the action of norepinephrine and prevent dangerous heart rhythms. However, the benefit of beta-blockers is limited and many people still die following a heart attack. Consultant cardiologist Dr Neil Herring from the University of Oxford has found that high levels of another chemical, called neuropeptide-Y (NPY) are also present following a heart attack. Dr Herring has now received an Intermediate BHF Clinical Research Training Fellowship grant to investigate the role NPY plays in the heart. In his fellowship, Dr Herring will find out if NPY restricts the blood supply to the heart, even after doctors have re-opened the blockage causing the heart attack. He will also find out if, and how NPY, like norepinephrine, triggers life threatening heart rhythms by directly acting on the heart. This research will reveal more about NPY’s role in the heart and may uncover new avenues to develop better drugs to prevent dangerous heart rhythms after a heart attack.
Project details
| Grant amount | £922,408 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | Intermediate Clinical Research Fellowship |
| Start Date | 01 April 2015 |
| Duration | 5 years, 5 months |
| Reference | FS/15/8/31155 |
| Status | In Progress |
