Biomarkers and Causes of Post-Surgery Brain Changes in Older Adults
Official title: Biomarkers and Pathogenesis of Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11449845 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults 65 and older will look at blood biomarkers and gut microbes to understand why some people have cognitive changes after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $580,798 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG098122-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449845 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older undergoing surgery who consent to participate and provide blood samples and gut microbiota data.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience cognitive changes and may not benefit directly from the findings.
What this research studies
This project focuses on older adults undergoing surgery to explore why perioperative neurocognitive disorders occur. It will examine blood biomarkers like pTau217 and inflammatory markers, and investigate gut microbiota and their metabolites to see how they relate to delirium and cognitive impairment after surgery. The study builds on prior findings that these factors may predict or influence post-surgical brain changes, and it will use blood tests and microbial analyses to identify potential pathways. The goal is to find biomarkers that predict risk and possible mechanisms that could be targeted to protect cognition after surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patient care could include blood tests to assess risk and new strategies to prevent or mitigate cognitive problems after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked pTau217, inflammatory markers, and gut metabolites to cognitive changes in surgical patients, suggesting a plausible path forward.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Zhongcong — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Xie, Zhongcong
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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.