Investigating how alcohol affects dementia in older adults
Official title: Neuroinflammatory GeroMiRs and Alcohol: Defining Mechanisms of ADRD
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11060908 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol might affect brain health and increase the risk of dementia in older adults by exploring the role of inflammation that comes with aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $477,061 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030741-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11060908 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 65 and older who consume alcohol.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those who do not consume alcohol may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that lead to increased dementia related to alcohol consumption in older adults. It aims to explore how chronic inflammation, which worsens with age, interacts with alcohol use to impact brain health. By studying older individuals, the project seeks to fill knowledge gaps regarding the health effects of alcohol in this age group, particularly how it contributes to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. The research will involve examining inflammatory responses in the brain and how they differ between younger and older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for alcohol-related dementia in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that chronic inflammation plays a significant role in neurodegeneration, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smathers Mccullough, Rebecca Leanne — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Smathers Mccullough, Rebecca Leanne
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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.