Investigating how iron deficiency anemia affects brain blood flow and cognition in adults
Official title: Brain blood flow, oxygenation, and cognition in adult onset iron deficiency anemia
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-10906226 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how iron deficiency anemia affects thinking and memory in women aged 14-60, and it will see if getting more iron can help improve these brain functions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $660,382 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS117430-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906226 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are women aged 14-60 who have been diagnosed with moderate iron deficiency anemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with anemia caused by factors other than iron deficiency or those with risk factors for small vessel disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the effects of adult-onset iron deficiency anemia (IDA) on brain function and blood flow. It aims to explore how moderate anemia impacts cognitive abilities such as memory and reasoning, particularly in women aged 14-60. The study will involve comprehensive brain imaging and assessments of blood flow and oxygen levels in participants diagnosed with IDA, as well as healthy controls. By analyzing these factors, the research seeks to determine if iron replacement therapies can reverse cognitive deficits associated with IDA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for cognitive impairments caused by iron deficiency anemia in adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has established the negative impact of iron deficiency on pediatric brain function, but this investigation into adult cognitive effects is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wood, John C — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wood, John C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Brain blood flow and oxygen use in adult iron deficiency anemia
This study looks at how moderate iron deficiency anemia in adults affects brain blood flow, oxygen use, and thinking abilities, and whether iron treatment can reverse any problems.
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How iron-deficiency anemia in later childhood affects the brain and thinking
This project looks at girls and young women aged 12–21 with iron-deficiency anemia to see how it changes brain metabolism, blood flow, and thinking using cognitive tests and MRI scans.
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.