IL-6 signaling and risk of postoperative cognitive decline in aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: IL-6 Trans-signaling increases vulnerability to Postoperative Cognitive Decline in Aging and Alzheimers Disease
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11336321 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores whether a specific inflammatory signal (IL-6) increases the chance of cognitive problems after surgery in older adults and those with Alzheimer’s disease, using aging and Alzheimer’s mouse models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,071,467 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG083979-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336321 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults aged 65 and older, especially those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, who could potentially benefit from interventions identified in this research.
✕Less likely to help
The study is preclinical and will mainly use animal models; direct benefits to individual patients will depend on future clinical development.
What this research studies
The research aims to understand why some older patients, especially those with Alzheimer’s, develop cognitive changes after surgery. It will study IL-6 signaling in the brain and test whether blocking this signal with sgp130Fc can reduce vulnerability to postoperative cognitive problems. The team will use aging and Alzheimer’s mouse models to map where and how IL-6 trans-signaling affects memory-related brain circuits. Findings could point to a targeted approach to protect think skills during the perioperative period. The work combines neuroscience, immunology, and preclinical models to address a real-world patient risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to strategies that reduce postoperative cognitive issues in older adults and people with Alzheimer’s, improving recovery and long-term brain health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work supports a link between IL-6 signaling and neuroinflammation and suggests potential for targeted blockade to mitigate cognitive effects, but translational success to perioperative settings remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maze, Mervyn — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Maze, Mervyn
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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.