Changes in brain cell metabolism in aging and Alzheimer's
Alterations in neuronal metabolic pathways contribute to human cognitive aging and are exacerbated in Alzheimer's disease
This project compares how brain cells from older adults with and without Alzheimer's handle energy and DNA building blocks to better understand cognitive aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11379338 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will collect a small sample such as blood or skin and turn those cells into laboratory-grown neurons that behave like brain cells. They will compare neurons from people with sporadic Alzheimer's disease to neurons from age-matched older adults without cognitive impairment. Using metabolic tests and genomic tools like ATAC-seq, they will study how cells make and recycle nucleotide building blocks and manage energy. The aim is to spot molecular differences that separate normal aging from Alzheimer's-related decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 or older, including people with sporadic Alzheimer's disease and cognitively normal age-matched volunteers willing to provide blood or skin samples.
Not a fit: People under 65, those with rare familial early-onset Alzheimer's, or anyone seeking an immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets or tests that protect or restore brain cell metabolism and help slow cognitive decline.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies using patient-derived induced neurons and metabolic profiling have revealed disease-linked changes, but translating those findings into proven therapies remains unachieved.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Jeffrey Ray — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Jones, Jeffrey Ray
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.