Investigating how aging affects lung injury and recovery in ARDS
Official title: Aging and ARDS: Novel Mechanistic Role of Nox4/D in Age-Dependent Barrier Dysfunction
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-10950343 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why older adults are more likely to get serious lung problems and how their bodies react to lung injuries, focusing on a specific enzyme that might be causing extra damage; the goal is to find better ways to help older patients recover from these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Decatur, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006003-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950343 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are at risk for or currently experiencing acute respiratory distress syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and do not have any respiratory conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding why older adults are more susceptible to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and how their bodies respond to lung injuries. The study examines the role of a specific enzyme, Nox4, which produces reactive oxygen species that can damage lung cells. By analyzing how Nox4 behaves differently in young versus older cells, the researchers aim to uncover mechanisms that lead to worse outcomes in elderly patients with ARDS. The findings could help identify new treatment strategies to improve recovery in older adults suffering from this serious condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve survival and recovery rates for elderly patients with ARDS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting oxidative stress in age-related diseases can lead to improved outcomes, suggesting that this approach may also be beneficial for ARDS.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Decatur, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hecker, Louise — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Hecker, Louise
Related research
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-
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-
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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.