Research

The vagus is the longest nerve in the human body, controlling vital functions. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been shown to benefit those with epilepsy and depression. Yet, little is known about how VNS may affect other systems. The Research Evaluating Vagal Excitation and Anatomical Links (REVEAL) project, a large clinical study led by the U of M, will set the stage for novel applications of VNS to autonomic, immune, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Researchers aim to generate one of the largest publicly available datasets on VNS to inform future treatments.

World health experts believe it's not a question of "if," but "when" we will need to respond to the next pandemic. Our researchers are part of that preparation with a $66 million grant from the NIH to establish the Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Center to develop antiviral drugs for pandemic-level viruses, including COVID-19. AViDD is part of a network of nine national centers developing new ways to target viruses and help mitigate―maybe prevent―the next pandemic.

Pain is a constant companion for far too many people. University of Minnesota research recently published in Nature gives a new understanding of ways to interrupt pain at the cellular level by controlling which signals go through. This discovery could result in more selective medications for pain and neuropsychiatric conditions, offering hope to patients living in pain. View full story

Atherosclerosis, a common, life-threatening condition that develops when plaque accumulates inside the arteries, is the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases that are the leading cause of death globally. University of Minnesota researchers have identified a molecule called TREM2 as a key in combating atherosclerosis. Pre-clinical models suggest that TREM2 may provide a new therapeutic pathway beyond cholesterol targeting that could have implications for reducing cardiovascular disease across the globe.