How anxiety affects Alzheimer's disease differently in men and women
Official title: The sex specific impact of anxiety on Alzheimer's disease progression
Funded at Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci · NIH-10806170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how anxiety might affect the progression of Alzheimer's disease, especially in women, by examining the brains of male and female mice to understand the connection between anxiety and memory loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AG059953-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10806170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, particularly those experiencing anxiety symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alzheimer's disease or those not experiencing anxiety may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between anxiety and the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), focusing on how this relationship differs between sexes. By studying both male and female mice, the research aims to uncover the neural mechanisms linking anxiety to memory loss in AD. The approach includes advanced techniques such as optogenetics and in vivo calcium imaging to observe brain activity and behavior. The findings could lead to new insights into how anxiety may predict AD progression, particularly in women, who are disproportionately affected by the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted therapies that address anxiety in Alzheimer's patients, potentially slowing disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have indicated that addressing neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety can impact the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
North Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunsberger, Holly Christian — Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
- Study coordinator: Hunsberger, Holly Christian
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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.