Investigating how aging affects gut health through cGMP signaling.
Official title: The cGMP-signaling axis in intestinal aging.
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-10889433 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our gut changes as we get older and how those changes might lead to issues like constipation and colorectal cancer, with the goal of finding ways to help improve gut health in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $231,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG083635-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889433 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly individuals experiencing gastrointestinal issues such as chronic constipation or those at risk for colorectal cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not elderly or do not have gastrointestinal disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the changes in the gastrointestinal tract as people age, particularly how these changes can lead to conditions like chronic constipation and colorectal cancer. The study aims to explore the role of cGMP signaling in the aging gut, which has been linked to intestinal barrier dysfunction and increased inflammation. By examining these pathways, the researchers hope to identify potential therapeutic interventions that could improve gut health in the elderly. The approach involves analyzing the signaling mechanisms in the intestinal epithelium to uncover how they contribute to age-related diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve gut health and reduce the incidence of diseases like constipation and colorectal cancer in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of cGMP signaling in other aging tissues has been documented, this specific focus on the aging intestine is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Browning, Darren D. — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Browning, Darren D.
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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.