How social environments affect health and aging in mice
Mouse models for the influence of the social environment on health and aging
This study looks at how things like friendships and money can affect health and aging by using mice to see how different social situations might lead to diseases as they get older, which could help us understand how these factors impact people too.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143327 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how social factors influence health and aging by using laboratory mice as a model. It aims to understand the impact of social connectedness and socioeconomic status on the onset of diseases, particularly in older age. By conducting experiments that manipulate social environments, researchers can infer causal relationships that are difficult to establish in human studies. The findings could provide insights into how social determinants affect aging and health outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who may be experiencing health issues related to social isolation or low socioeconomic status.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 65 or those with no social or economic challenges may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving health and longevity in older adults by highlighting the importance of social connections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that social factors significantly impact health outcomes, but this specific approach using mouse models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bartolomucci, Alessandro — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Bartolomucci, Alessandro
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.