DNA markers to predict delirium and lasting memory problems after surgery in older adults with dementia
Official title: Epigenetics Biomarker of Post Operative Delirium and Long Term Cognitive Decline among Elderly Dementia Patients
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11321269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for DNA-based signals that might help identify older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia who are likely to get delirium or long-term thinking problems after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,139,047 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG084710-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia who are scheduled for surgery would be the main candidates for participation.
✕Less likely to help
Younger people, those without dementia, or people not planning surgery are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
You would be followed around the time of a planned surgery with blood samples taken before and after the operation and brief memory and thinking checks over time. Researchers will look at DNA methylation (a chemical tag on DNA that can change with age and inflammation) in those blood samples and compare people who develop postoperative delirium or longer-term cognitive decline with those who do not. The team will also examine links to inflammation markers such as TNF-α to better understand why some people are more vulnerable. The aim is to find measurable biomarkers and clues about the biological processes that lead to delirium and lasting decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to tests that identify people at high risk for delirium and longer-term cognitive decline so doctors can take steps to reduce that risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked inflammation to delirium, but using DNA methylation as a predictive biomarker for postoperative delirium and long-term cognitive decline is largely new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
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Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shinozaki, Gen — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Shinozaki, Gen
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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.