How aging and amyloidosis affect timing in the brain and how to improve it
Official title: The impact of aging and amyloidosis on interval timing in corticostriatal circuits and its rescue by controlled cholinergic fiber activation
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10875739 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how aging and a condition linked to Alzheimer's disease affect the brain's timing for making decisions about rewards, and it aims to see if activating certain brain pathways can help improve this timing in mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $461,438 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG063783-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875739 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults or individuals with early signs of Alzheimer's disease or amyloidosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia or cognitive decline unrelated to amyloidosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging and amyloidosis, a condition associated with Alzheimer's disease, impact the brain's ability to time actions related to rewards. By focusing on the cholinergic system, which is crucial for learning and memory, the study aims to understand the effects of amyloidosis on decision-making processes in the brain. Using a mouse model, researchers will explore how activating cholinergic fibers can potentially restore normal timing functions in the brain's corticostriatal circuits. This approach combines advanced imaging techniques with behavioral assessments to evaluate the impact of these interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cholinergic functions in Alzheimer's models, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shuler, Marshall Gilmer — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Shuler, Marshall Gilmer
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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.