Investigating how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to vision loss in aging
Official title: The Aging Eyes Study: mitochondrial dysfunction as a driver of age-related vision loss
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10951166 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems with tiny energy factories in our cells, called mitochondria, might be linked to vision loss as we get older, and it hopes to find ways to better spot and help those who are at risk of losing their sight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $431,290 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY036435-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951166 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are experiencing changes in their vision.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without any vision changes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and age-related vision loss, focusing on how oxidative stress and systemic inflammation may accelerate this process. By examining the role of mitochondria in energy production and cellular health, the study aims to identify indicators that can distinguish between normal age-related changes and more severe vision deterioration. The findings could lead to improved screening methods and targeted interventions for those at higher risk of vision loss as they age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better screening and treatment options for age-related vision loss, improving quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that mitochondrial function plays a significant role in age-related diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abraham, Alison G — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Abraham, Alison G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
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.