How old, damaged brain cells affect memory and brain blood vessels
Project 3 - Cellular Senescence and Brain Aging
Researchers are exploring whether clearing old, damaged brain cells can help protect memory and the brain's blood-vessel barrier in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301885 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, scientists are studying 'senescent' (old, damaged) cells in the brain to see how they contribute to memory loss and a leaky blood–brain barrier. They use advanced transgenic mouse models that let them find and remove these cells, along with single-cell molecular tests to identify different senescent cell types and their inflammatory signals. Early mouse experiments showed that getting rid of senescent cells improved memory and reduced brain inflammation. The goal is to map which senescent cell types drive decline and to guide possible future treatments for age-related memory problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for eventual clinical trials would be older adults experiencing age-related memory decline or mild cognitive problems.
Not a fit: People whose memory loss is clearly due to non‑aging causes (for example recent stroke, active infection, or certain early‑onset genetic dementias) may not benefit from approaches targeting age‑related senescent cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that preserve memory and strengthen the blood–brain barrier in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical studies in mice have shown cognitive improvement after removing senescent cells, but translating these results to humans remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jurk, Diana — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Jurk, Diana
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.