How exercise affects brain blood flow and balance in older adults
Official title: Investigating cerebrovascular regulation during exercise as a factor influencing cortical resource engagement for balance control with aging
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11056858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects the brain's ability to manage blood flow during exercise and how that impacts balance in people over 65, with the goal of finding ways to help prevent falls and improve balance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $243,981 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AG075255-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above, particularly those who may have genetic risk factors for cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under 65 years old or those without balance issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging impacts the brain's ability to regulate blood flow during exercise and how this affects balance control in older adults. It focuses on understanding the relationship between cerebrovascular health and cognitive function, particularly in individuals over 65 years old. By using electroencephalography (EEG), the study aims to measure brain activity during balance tasks to identify how cognitive load influences balance performance and fall risk. The findings could lead to better strategies for maintaining balance and preventing falls in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help develop targeted interventions to improve balance and reduce fall risk in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the link between cerebrovascular health and cognitive function in older adults, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palmer, Jacqueline a — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Palmer, Jacqueline a
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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.