How aging and estrogen affect the brain's energy system
Aging and Estrogenic Control of the Bioenergetic System in Brain
This work looks at how estrogen helps the brain use energy as women age, to better understand links with Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11302678 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research will look at how estrogen controls the brain's energy supply by acting on both the cell nucleus and the mitochondria and by triggering fast signaling responses. Scientists will use laboratory studies of cells, tissues, and aging models to see how loss of estrogen changes glucose use and mitochondrial function. The team aims to explain why an aging female brain may become 'starved' of energy and how that could increase Alzheimer's risk. Results are intended to point toward future human studies or therapies that protect brain metabolism.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for related human studies would be postmenopausal women, particularly those at higher risk for Alzheimer's, who are willing to donate samples or join follow-up clinical research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment benefit should not expect direct help from this lab-focused work, and findings may be less directly applicable to men or much younger individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could point to ways to prevent or slow Alzheimer's in aging women by preserving or restoring healthy brain energy use.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies indicate estrogen supports brain metabolism but clinical hormone therapies have shown mixed results, so this mechanistic work builds on existing findings to clarify unresolved questions.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brinton, Roberta Eileen — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Brinton, Roberta Eileen
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 below.