How kidney function differs in women and men as they age
Renal electrolyte handling in females vs. males over life cycle
This research explores how kidney function, blood pressure, and electrolyte balance change differently in women and men throughout their lives, from young adulthood through aging and menopause.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123163 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our kidneys play a vital role in managing our body's fluids, salts, and blood pressure. This project aims to understand why conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease affect women and men differently at various ages. We are looking at how the kidney's ability to handle salts and water changes over time, especially during key life stages like aging and menopause in females. By combining laboratory experiments with computer models, we hope to uncover the specific ways male and female kidneys adapt to maintain health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit adults of all ages who are at risk for or living with kidney-related conditions, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical intervention or direct participation in a human clinical trial would not find this specific basic science project beneficial for direct involvement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these sex-specific differences could lead to more personalized treatments for high blood pressure and heart disease, improving health outcomes for both women and men.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has already identified sex differences in kidney transporters in animal models, providing a strong foundation for this deeper investigation.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonough, Alicia a. — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Mcdonough, Alicia a.
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.