Creating new mouse models to study male hormonal changes and dementia
Official title: Developing new mouse models of andropause for ADRD research
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-10984772 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating special mouse models to help us understand how lower testosterone levels in older men might be connected to memory problems and Alzheimer's disease, so we can learn more about how aging affects brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $462,923 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG089534-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984772 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older men, particularly those over 45, who may be experiencing symptoms related to low testosterone levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not male or those who do not have concerns related to hormonal changes or cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new mouse models that simulate andropause, a condition characterized by declining testosterone levels in aging men. The researchers aim to create models that better reflect the hormonal changes associated with aging and their potential link to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By studying these models, they hope to understand how reduced androgen levels may contribute to cognitive decline and increase the risk of dementia. The approach includes both surgical and non-surgical methods to replicate the hormonal environment seen in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for men experiencing cognitive decline related to hormonal changes.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on menopause models, the development of accurate models for andropause is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zuloaga, Kristen Leanne — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Zuloaga, Kristen Leanne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Endothelial inflammation memory after sepsis and pneumonia
A scientist is studying how blood vessel cells “remember” sepsis and why survivors get worse when they catch pneumonia, with the goal of finding better ways to reduce organ damage.
-
How common gut bacteria may stop C. difficile from making spores
This project looks at whether common gut bacteria called enterococci can stop C. difficile from making hardy spores that spread infection, which could help people prone to C. difficile infections.
-
Kiss1 neurons in brain regions and how they influence reproduction
A small NIH-funded project looks at how specific brain cells (Kiss1 neurons) affect reproductive hormones in adults.
-
Endothelial genes linked to Alzheimer's progression in male and female brains
Aims to find blood vessel gene targets that change as Alzheimer's progresses, in both men and women, using mouse models to mirror human disease.
-
How tumor stiffness and tissue environment affect HER2 antibody therapy
This project studies how the physical environment inside HER2-positive tumors affects how well HER2-targeting antibodies can reach and engage their target in patients.
-
KCTD11-related CMT neuropathy: uncovering how it damages nerves
We are studying a genetic form of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease to understand what goes wrong in nerves and support future treatments.
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.