How sex, hormones, and brain GABA relate to memory loss risk in midlife and older adults
The role of sex in GABAergic-mediated, Alzheimer’s disease-related episodic memory impairments from mid to late life
This project looks at how biological sex, brain GABA levels, and sex hormones relate to memory in middle-aged and older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s.
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-11164650 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join a community sample of middle-aged and older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s who will have brain imaging to measure GABA in the hippocampus, blood tests for sex steroid hormones, and memory testing. The team will compare brain GABA, brain activity, hormone levels, and memory performance across men and women and by genetic risk such as APOE ε4. The work builds on animal findings that link estrogen loss and APOE ε4 to GABAergic dysfunction and memory problems. Study visits will likely include MRI scanning sessions and brief clinical or cognitive assessments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults who are concerned about Alzheimer’s risk or carry risk factors such as family history or APOE ε4 and who can undergo MRI and blood testing.
Not a fit: This project is unlikely to help people without Alzheimer’s risk, people with advanced dementia who cannot complete imaging or testing, or those unable to travel to the study site for visits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal sex-specific biological pathways behind memory decline and point toward targeted treatments or prevention strategies for those at risk.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies strongly support a role for GABA and estrogen in memory, but human studies are limited, so this human-focused approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eich, Teal S — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Eich, Teal S
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.