How aging, Alzheimer's, and PTSD change fear and the amygdala
Official title: The Impact of Normative Aging and Alzheimers Disease on Fear based Disorders and Amygdala Dysfunction
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11143192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether ketogenic diets or ketone supplements can reduce persistent fear memories and amygdala inflammation in older people with or at risk for Alzheimer's, including those with PTSD.
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 | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $244,018 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AG078400-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be older adults with a history of PTSD, people living with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, or those experiencing age-related memory decline.
✕Less likely to help
People without fear-based disorders, younger adults without age-related memory changes, or those whose symptoms arise from non-inflammatory causes may be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how normal aging, Alzheimer's disease, and PTSD affect fear memories and function of the basolateral amygdala (BLA). They will use animal models of Alzheimer's and PTSD and examine brain inflammation, amygdala activity, and behavior related to fear memory and extinction. The team will test whether ketogenic diets or ketone esters can reduce amygdala hyperactivity and neuroinflammation that worsen fear-based symptoms and cognitive decline. Results are intended to point toward metabolic or diet-based strategies that could later be tested in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to diet-based or metabolic therapies that reduce persistent fear memories and slow cognitive decline in people with PTSD and Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies and some small human trials suggest ketogenic diets or ketone supplements can reduce brain inflammation and improve cognition, but applying this approach to amygdala dysfunction in aging and PTSD is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernandez, Caesar Miguel — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Hernandez, Caesar Miguel
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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.