How the body's 24-hour clock affects aging and brain health
Circadian-Regulated Aging Physiologies
Researchers are looking at whether strengthening the body's daily clock can slow age-related declines that contribute to memory problems and Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326257 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies how the internal 24-hour 'circadian' clock controls sleep, metabolism, and tissue-specific functions and how those rhythms break down with age. They use fruit flies and mammalian models to test time-restricted feeding schedules and other ways to restore circadian rhythms, building on preliminary fly data showing longer life and better metabolism. The project maps central (brain) and peripheral (body) clocks to find molecular targets that might be changed by drugs or lifestyle timing. Results could point to practical timing-based approaches or new therapies to help older adults maintain healthier sleep, metabolism, and brain function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with sleep or daily rhythm disturbances, people worried about memory decline, or those at increased risk for Alzheimer's would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People whose conditions come from non-circadian genetic disorders or from injuries unrelated to daily rhythms may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to timing-based lifestyle changes or new treatments that preserve sleep, metabolism, and memory in older adults, potentially lowering Alzheimer's risk.
How similar studies have performed: Time-restricted feeding and other circadian interventions have extended lifespan and improved rhythms in animal studies, but translating these findings to human Alzheimer's prevention remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shirasu-Hiza, Michele M — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Shirasu-Hiza, Michele M
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.