Blood stem cell changes that may link memory problems and worsening kidney health
Clonal hematopoiesis, mild cognitive impairment and kidney function decline
This project looks at whether age-related changes in blood-forming stem cells are connected to memory decline, dementia, and worsening kidney function in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322099 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to provide blood samples and clinical information while researchers look for expanding blood-cell clones (clonal hematopoiesis) and specific blood metabolites. The team will compare these findings with tests of thinking and memory and measures of kidney function over time. They will also study how fat in the bone marrow might encourage these mutant blood clones to grow. The goal is to see whether these blood and bone-marrow changes help explain why some people develop mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or faster kidney decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults—especially those with mild cognitive impairment, early dementia signs, or early-stage chronic kidney disease—who can provide blood samples and clinical follow-up data.
Not a fit: Younger people without age-related blood-clone changes or those unwilling to provide samples and follow-up are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify a new biological link that helps predict or prevent memory loss and kidney decline in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has tied clonal hematopoiesis to cardiovascular disease, but applying this concept to cognitive decline and kidney deterioration is relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chonchol, Michel Benjamin — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Chonchol, Michel Benjamin
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 below.