How aging cells affect brain inflammation after surgery
Understanding the role of senescence on post-operative neuroinflammation
Researchers are looking at whether aged, 'senescent' cells make older adults more likely to get brain inflammation and delirium after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11297681 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses a mouse model of orthopedic fracture and surgery to mimic the type of tissue injury older adults experience during operations like hip replacement. Scientists will measure blood–brain barrier function, brain immune cell activity, and signs of cellular senescence to see how these factors interact after surgery. They will test whether reducing senescent cell burden changes the amount of inflammation and brain dysfunction that follows surgery. Although done in mice, the goal is to understand mechanisms relevant to older people with or at risk for Alzheimer's disease and postoperative delirium.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults, especially those with existing Alzheimer's disease or related cognitive impairment who are planning or recovering from major surgery, would be the most likely people to benefit or be recruited into related future trials.
Not a fit: Young, healthy people without cognitive impairment or people not facing surgery are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to ways to prevent or reduce postoperative delirium and cognitive decline in older adults by targeting senescent cells or protecting the blood–brain barrier.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies have suggested that senescent cells and blood–brain barrier breakdown contribute to neuroinflammation and that 'senolytic' approaches can help in animals, but human clinical evidence is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Varghese, Shyni — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Varghese, Shyni
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.