Astrocyte exosomes as aging biomarkers and drivers of MS progression
Official title: Astrocyte exosomes as senescence biomarkers and drivers of progression in multiple sclerosis patients
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11448588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing a blood-based biomarker from astrocyte-like exosomes to understand why multiple sclerosis gets worse with age and to identify potential targets for treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $619,252 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146523-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are MS patients across subtypes and age groups, plus healthy volunteers for establishing baseline astrocyte-age biomarkers.
✕Less likely to help
People without MS or without participation in biomarker validation or brain-tissue studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses blood samples to measure microRNA patterns in astrocyte-derived exosomes and links these patterns to brain aging and MS progression. It will create a biomarker of astrocyte age in healthy people and then apply it to MS patients to see how senescence varies by disease subtype. The study also tests whether age-related exosomal signals can trigger inflammatory and aging pathways in human-derived microglia, suggesting a possible mechanism for disease worsening. The work builds on preliminary findings showing a strong age-related exosomal miRNA signature in healthy individuals and in some progressive MS patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to tests that track brain aging in MS and identify new targets to slow progression.
How similar studies have gone: Early data show exosomal miRNA signatures correlate with age and may relate to MS progression, supporting potential benefit of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pitt, David — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Pitt, David
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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.