How iron-deficiency anemia affects adult brain blood flow, oxygen, and memory
Official title: Brain blood flow, oxygenation, and cognition in adult onset iron deficiency anemia
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-11159407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether treating moderate iron-deficiency anemia can improve brain blood flow, oxygen use, and thinking in adult women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $680,805 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS117430-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are females about 14–60 years old with moderate iron-deficiency anemia (for example hemoglobin <11 g/dL) who are otherwise healthy and do not have diabetes, hypertension, or sleep-disordered breathing.
✕Less likely to help
People whose anemia is caused by non-iron reasons or who have significant vascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, or major neurologic disorders would likely not be eligible and may not benefit from this protocol.
What this research studies
You would join a group of about 96 women ages 14–60 with moderate iron-deficiency anemia and 40 healthy volunteers, mostly recruited in the Los Angeles area. Participants get detailed brain MRI scans that measure blood flow, oxygen metabolism, and blood–brain barrier function, along with cognitive tests of memory, reasoning, and learning. People with other causes of anemia or major vascular risk factors are excluded so the study focuses on iron-deficiency effects. Those with anemia will receive iron replacement and repeat imaging and testing to see whether brain and cognitive changes reverse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could show that iron treatment restores brain blood flow and thinking in adults with iron-deficiency anemia.
How similar studies have gone: Pediatric studies and preliminary adult data show cognitive and brain effects from iron deficiency, but combining advanced MRI with cognitive testing to show reversibility with iron replacement in adults is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wood, John C — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wood, John C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Brain blood flow and oxygen use in adult iron deficiency anemia
This study looks at how moderate iron deficiency anemia in adults affects brain blood flow, oxygen use, and thinking abilities, and whether iron treatment can reverse any problems.
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Investigating how iron deficiency anemia affects brain blood flow and cognition in adults
This study is looking at how iron deficiency anemia affects thinking and memory in women aged 14-60, and it will see if getting more iron can help improve these brain functions.
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Aimed at adults having surgery, this project tests a practical plan to identify and treat iron deficiency anemia to improve recovery and reduce complications.
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How iron-deficiency anemia in later childhood affects the brain and thinking
This project looks at girls and young women aged 12–21 with iron-deficiency anemia to see how it changes brain metabolism, blood flow, and thinking using cognitive tests and MRI scans.
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.