Investigating early life stress and its effects on brain aging and cognitive decline
Official title: Early risk factors of accelerated neural aging trajectories and cognitive decline: a nonhuman primate longitudinal model
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11081004 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tough experiences early in life can speed up brain aging and affect thinking skills, using monkeys to find clues that might help us help people who have gone through similar stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $905,933 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG070704-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081004 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced early life stress or adversity and are concerned about cognitive health as they age.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced early life stress or those with pre-existing severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how early life stress and adversity can lead to accelerated aging of the brain and cognitive decline. Using a longitudinal model with nonhuman primates, the study aims to identify biological markers and pathways that indicate risk for cognitive impairments associated with early life stress. By observing these primates over time, researchers hope to uncover insights that could inform early intervention strategies for humans. The focus is on understanding the gradual aging process and its relation to stress experienced in early life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and intervention strategies for cognitive decline related to early life stress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive decline through longitudinal studies in animal models, but this specific approach using nonhuman primates is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sanchez, Mar M — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Sanchez, Mar M
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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.