How aging affects brain inflammation and cognitive decline after injury
Official title: Influence of thalamic IL-33 signaling in aging-associated exacerbation of cognitive impairment after brain injury via microglial dysfunction and tau pathology
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11040248 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects the brain's immune response after an injury, especially focusing on certain immune cells called neutrophils, to see how these changes might impact thinking and memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $69,185 |
| NIH project number | 3RF1AG079129-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040248 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger or have not suffered a brain injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging influences the immune response in the brain following an injury, particularly focusing on a type of immune cell called neutrophils. By analyzing brain samples from injured individuals, the study aims to identify specific changes in these cells that may contribute to cognitive impairment. Advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry will be used to understand the role of these neutrophils in neuroinflammation and cognitive recovery. The findings could help clarify how age-related changes in the immune system affect brain health after trauma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving cognitive recovery in older adults after brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in brain injuries, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kano, Shinichi — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Kano, Shinichi
Related research
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Thalamic IL-33 signaling and aging-related cognitive decline after brain injury
Aiming to understand how aging and brain injury interact to worsen memory and thinking problems by studying a specific brain signal (IL-33) in the thalamus and its effect on brain immune cells and tau pathology.
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How increased IL-33 in the thalamus may worsen thinking problems after head injury in older adults
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How aging and brain injury affect cognitive decline through immune signaling
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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.