Blood stem cell changes linked to mild memory problems and worsening kidney function

Clonal hematopoiesis, mild cognitive impairment and kidney function decline

NIH-funded research University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11494175

This project will see if age-related changes in blood stem cells (clonal hematopoiesis) are tied to mild thinking problems and faster kidney decline in adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11494175 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From your point of view, researchers will collect blood samples and medical information and may use imaging or measures related to bone marrow fat to look for specific mutations in blood stem cells called clonal hematopoiesis. They will follow cognitive tests and standard kidney function measures over time to see who has faster decline. The team will also measure blood metabolites to look for biological signals that might explain links between these blood changes, thinking problems, and kidney disease. Findings will come from comparing people with and without these blood mutations and relating those differences to cognitive and kidney outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults (age 21 and older), especially middle-aged and older people with or at risk for mild cognitive impairment or chronic kidney disease, who can provide blood samples and clinical data are the most suitable candidates.

Not a fit: People under 21, those unwilling to give blood or medical information, or those seeking an immediate treatment change are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk for cognitive decline and kidney disease and point to new targets to prevent or slow those problems.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked clonal hematopoiesis to cardiovascular disease, but its connection to cognitive decline and kidney disease is largely untested and therefore novel.

Where this research is happening

Aurora, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.