Biological aging in early life: how growth and the environment shape telomere length and early heart disease risk
Official title: Biological aging in early life: exploring developmental and environmental predictors of telomere length and impacts on subclinical atherosclerosis development
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11394631 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study follows children from birth to young adulthood to see how aging at the cellular level (telomeres) develops and whether it relates to early signs of heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $502,342 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL181513-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394631 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children from birth through young adulthood who have stored biospecimens and exposure data available through the Southern California Children’s Health Study, plus participants with carotid ultrasound data.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to the cohort data or who do not undergo imaging assessments may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
Researchers will use data from a long-term cohort to measure telomere length at birth, age 8, and age 24, while linking growth, environment, and air pollution exposure to changes in aging markers. They will also examine how these telomere changes relate to subclinical atherosclerosis measured by carotid ultrasound. The goal is to understand if early-life aging patterns influence later heart health. This work leverages existing records, biospecimens, and environmental data to create a comprehensive view of developmental aging and heart disease risk. Results could inform strategies to monitor and protect children’s cardiovascular health over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could identify early-life biological markers and environmental factors that predict later heart disease risk, guiding prevention efforts for children and young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked telomere length to aging and cardiovascular risk, but this study will map early-life dynamics across birth to adulthood and relate them to subclinical disease.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Niu, Zhongzheng — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Niu, Zhongzheng
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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.