Changes in silent synapses and cognitive aging in humans and mice
Official title: Changes in cortical silent synapses and cognitive flexibility over the lifespan of humans and mice
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11426980 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study aims to understand how changes in brain connections relate to aging and memory in adults and older adults, using humans and mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $682,537 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG102702-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11426980 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older, with a focus on those 65 and older, who are undergoing assessments related to age-associated cognitive changes.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy younger adults without cognitive concerns may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will map how a specific type of brain connection, called silent synapses, changes with age in both people and mice. Researchers will use advanced imaging, physiological measurements, and machine learning to link these changes to cognitive aging. The study will compare brain tissue from humans with aging-related cognitive decline to that of mice to identify consistent patterns. Findings could reveal new targets for promoting healthy brain function in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to strategies that preserve or improve memory and thinking skills as people age.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked synaptic changes to aging, but this project aims to characterize silent synapses specifically in aging humans and mice, which is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harnett, Mark Thomas — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Harnett, Mark Thomas
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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.