How aging and brain injury affect cognitive decline through immune signaling
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-10525027 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects memory and thinking skills after a brain injury, especially by examining a special molecule in the brain and how it interacts with immune cells; the goal is to find ways to help older adults recover better from such injuries.
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 | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $1,452,959 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG079129-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10525027 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have suffered a traumatic brain injury and are experiencing cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and have not experienced any brain injuries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging influences cognitive impairment following brain injuries, particularly focusing on the role of a signaling molecule called IL-33 in the thalamus. By studying mice, the researchers aim to understand how microglial cells, which are immune cells in the brain, respond to brain injuries and how this response may lead to cognitive deficits. The study will explore the relationship between aging, microglial activation, and the accumulation of tau proteins, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. The ultimate goal is to identify potential therapeutic targets that could mitigate cognitive decline in older adults after brain injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help prevent or reduce cognitive decline in older adults who have experienced brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of microglial activation in cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach may 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
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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
Researchers are seeing if higher IL‑33 signals in a deep brain area (the thalamus) help explain why older people have worse memory and thinking problems after a head injury.
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How aging affects brain inflammation and cognitive decline after injury
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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.