How exercise-released molecules affect blood vessel and brain blood flow with aging in men and women
Exerkines and the heterogeneity of peripheral and cerebral vascular adaptations to exercise training with aging in women and men
We will see whether a 12-week aerobic exercise program changes blood vessel health and brain blood flow in younger, middle-aged, and older men and women and whether exercise-released molecules (exerkines) explain differences in response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170760 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned to a supervised aerobic exercise program (3 times per week for 12 weeks) or a non-exercise control group. The team will measure blood vessel function in the arm (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation) and cerebral blood flow before and after the 12 weeks. They will also take blood samples to measure circulating exercise-related molecules (including endothelial microvesicles) that might communicate exercise effects to the body and brain. The study enrolls younger, middle-aged, and older adults balanced by sex to understand age and sex differences.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 18 years and older, including middle-aged and older men and women who can safely perform moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise and attend in-person testing, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who cannot safely exercise (for example due to unstable heart disease, severe mobility limitations, or advanced dementia) are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help personalize exercise recommendations and identify blood markers that predict who will get vascular and brain benefits from aerobic exercise, which may reduce Alzheimer’s risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows aerobic exercise can improve vascular and brain blood flow, but using exerkines and directly comparing age and sex differences is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moreau, Kerrie — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Moreau, Kerrie
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.