Aging fat cells and their impact on memory and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Investigating the Role of Adipose Senescent Cells in Cognitive Function and Alzheimer's Disease Progression
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11397887 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether aged, harmful cells in body fat send signals that damage the brain and speed memory loss in people at risk for Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $418,175 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AG087387-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397887 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This work is most relevant to older adults and people with obesity or early memory problems who are at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced, late-stage Alzheimer's or conditions unrelated to aging and obesity are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this early-stage animal research.
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team is using mouse models of Alzheimer's to see if old, senescent cells in body fat release inflammatory signals that reach the brain and harm memory. They will reduce or remove these senescent fat cells in mice and then measure changes in memory, brain amyloid levels, and inflammation. The researchers will compare results in aged and obese animals to understand how age and weight contribute. These steps aim to show whether targeting fat senescent cells might one day protect memory.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the findings translate to people, targeting senescent cells in fat could offer a new way to slow memory loss or reduce Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies removing senescent cells have improved tissue function and reduced inflammation, but applying this approach to fat-driven brain changes in Alzheimer's is still fairly new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Yi — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Yi
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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.