How changes in a tiny brain region make it harder to ignore distractions as we age
Losing specificity: the role of the locus coeruleus in age-related distractibility
This project looks at whether changes in a small brain center called the locus coeruleus and its links with attention networks make it harder for older adults to ignore distractions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174280 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will ask older adults to do attention tasks while having brain scans to see how the locus coeruleus connects with attention networks when distractions appear. At the same time, they will run matched experiments in animals where they can turn down or restore that same circuit to see how attention changes. The team will compare the human and animal results using similar tasks and brain-network analyses. They will also test strategies in animals that could rescue circuit function and inform future human interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older adults who notice increased difficulty ignoring distractions, including those with risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Younger adults or people whose attention problems are caused by non-neurological issues or advanced dementia are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce distracting thoughts and improve focus in aging and people at risk for Alzheimer-related problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked the locus coeruleus and frontal attention networks to aging-related distraction, but combining cross-species circuit manipulation with matched human imaging and rescue tests is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Tae-Ho — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Lee, Tae-Ho
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.