How noradrenergic activity affects distractibility in older adults
Official title: The effects of noradrenergic activity on age-related distractibility
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10954723 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in a part of the brain that helps with attention might affect how easily older adults get distracted, and it will compare these effects with younger adults to see how age influences focus and thinking skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $22,289 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AG076288-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954723 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include older adults experiencing cognitive decline as well as younger adults for comparative analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe cognitive impairments or those with neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between noradrenergic activity and cognitive performance in older adults, focusing on how changes in the locus coeruleus, the brain's primary source of noradrenaline, influence distractibility. By utilizing neuroimaging and behavioral tasks, the study aims to understand whether increased or decreased noradrenergic activity affects attentional control and cognitive impairments associated with aging. The research will involve both older and younger adults to compare the effects of noradrenergic modulation on cognitive behavior across age groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preserving cognitive function and delaying neurodegenerative diseases in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of noradrenergic activity in cognitive processes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Andy Jeesu — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Kim, Andy Jeesu
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
RNA dysregulation in a rare childhood brain disorder (PCH1b)
Researchers are studying a rare genetic brain disease in young children to understand how RNA processing goes wrong and leads to damage in the cerebellum and brainstem.
-
Studying how diverse signals come from similar molecules at glutamatergic synapses
A project at a university explores how synapses in the brain create different signals from a shared set of molecules, using a fruit-fly model to understand how this could relate to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
-
How brain chemicals may influence tau clumps in Alzheimer’s disease
A study from USC explores how certain brain chemicals might influence the clumping of tau protein related to Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to identify factors that could affect disease progression.
-
GLP-1 medicines and brain health: real-world clues about dementia risk
A nationwide study will follow adults 21 and older using GLP-1 medicines to see how these drugs relate to memory, thinking, and dementia risk in real life.
-
Male pesticide exposure and reproductive health through epigenetics
This project looks at how a man’s exposure to pesticides might affect his fertility and the health of his future children through changes in DNA.
-
Global effort to harmonize fMRI findings in psychiatry
A large, international effort will standardize how brain MRI data are collected and analyzed in people with various mental health conditions to improve consistency and discovery.
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.