How social experiences and diet affect inflammation and aging
Social and dietary modifiers of neuroinflammation and aging
This study looks at how our social lives and what we eat can affect inflammation and aging, especially related to Alzheimer's disease, by observing female macaques to see if changing their diet can help reduce stress-related inflammation as they get older, which could teach us more about keeping our brains healthy as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126926 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how social experiences and dietary choices influence inflammation and aging, particularly in relation to Alzheimer's disease. It focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that connect social adversity and diet to stress responses and inflammation. By studying female macaques, which are similar to humans in social behavior and aging, the research aims to determine if dietary changes can help reduce age-related inflammatory responses linked to social stress. The findings could provide insights into how lifestyle factors impact brain health as we age.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older, particularly those experiencing social adversity or at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 65 or do not have any risk factors for Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to dietary recommendations that help mitigate the effects of social stress on brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the links between diet, social factors, and health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chiou, Kenneth Lyu — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Chiou, Kenneth Lyu
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.