Age-related changes in mitochondrial turnover and muscle health
Official title: Age-induced changes in mitochondrial turnover in humans
Funded at Loyola Marymount University · NIH-11444954 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults will look at how aging affects the way mitochondria are built up and broken down in muscle, and whether exercise helps preserve energy production.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola Marymount University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $539,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AG104800-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444954 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older, especially those who are sedentary or engage in exercise training.
✕Less likely to help
Very young individuals, those with certain mitochondrial diseases, or those unable to participate in exercise-related assessments may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to understand how mitochondrial DNA and protein turnover change with age in skeletal muscle, and how these changes relate to the muscle’s energy production. It will compare sedentary adults with those who regularly exercise to see if training can prevent age-related declines. The researchers plan to measure markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy, and turnover in muscle samples and relate them to mitochondrial function. The goal is to identify mechanisms that could be targeted to maintain muscle health as people age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform exercise strategies or interventions to preserve muscle energy and function in aging adults.
How similar studies have gone: Past research has shown that exercise helps maintain mitochondrial function with age, but direct measurements of turnover in humans are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Musci, Robert — Loyola Marymount University
- Study coordinator: Musci, Robert
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.