Investigating how aging affects brain function and cognitive abilities
The scope, cause and consequences of age-related decline in neural distinctiveness and brain signal variability in healthy and pathological aging
This study is looking at how getting older affects our thinking, movement, and senses, and it’s for older adults who want to understand more about how their brains work as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10906061 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores how normal aging impacts cognitive, motor, and sensory functions, focusing on the differences among older adults. It aims to understand the neural mechanisms behind these differences by examining two key factors: neural distinctiveness, which refers to how distinct neural activation patterns are for different stimuli, and brain signal variability, which looks at fluctuations in neural activity. The study employs behavioral testing, functional MRI, and pharmacological manipulations to assess these factors in healthy adults. The goal is to identify the causes of cognitive decline related to aging and to inform future interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are healthy adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing age-related cognitive changes.
Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive impairments or advanced neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing or mitigating cognitive decline in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive aging through similar methodologies, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lalwani, Poortata Shirish — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Lalwani, Poortata Shirish
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.