Aging, brain energy use, and oxidative stress in schizophrenia
Official title: Molecular Mechanisms of Aging in Schizophrenia: Implications of Bioenergetic Metabolism and Redox Biology
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-11245745 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether problems with brain energy use and oxidative stress help explain faster aging, thinking decline, and worse physical health in people with schizophrenia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $888,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135093-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11245745 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with schizophrenia, especially those noticing cognitive decline or age-related medical problems, would be the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without schizophrenia or those whose cognitive decline is already attributed to a primary neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will study biochemical pathways in the brain—like how cells make and use energy and handle oxidative stress—that may drive faster aging and cognitive problems in schizophrenia. They will link laboratory measures of bioenergetic and redox markers with clinical information about thinking, memory, and medical health. The team aims to understand why people with schizophrenia have higher rates of dementia and other medical illnesses beyond typical risk factors. The findings could point to biological targets for future treatments or prevention approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to biological targets that help slow cognitive decline and reduce medical complications in people with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown bioenergetic and oxidative abnormalities in schizophrenia, but translating these findings into proven treatments is still limited and early.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Du, Fei — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Du, Fei
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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.