Investigating how problems in the hypothalamus may speed up aging in people.
Official title: The Role of Hypothalamic Dysfunction in Accelerating Aging in Humans
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11088929 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus might speed up aging in older adults, and it hopes to find clues that could help us understand and possibly prevent issues like memory loss and weakness as we get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,567 |
| NIH project number | 5K76AG083274-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088929 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 65 and older who may be experiencing cognitive decline or other signs of accelerated aging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without signs of cognitive decline or frailty may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of hypothalamic dysfunction in the aging process of humans. It aims to understand how issues in the hypothalamus, which is crucial for regulating metabolism and hormonal balance, may lead to accelerated aging. The study will assess two key indicators of hypothalamic dysfunction: neuroendocrine dysregulation and structural changes in the hypothalamus, using advanced neuroimaging techniques. By examining these factors in older adults, the research seeks to identify potential predictors of cognitive decline and frailty associated with aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights and interventions that slow down the aging process and improve the quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: While there is emerging evidence from animal studies regarding hypothalamic dysfunction and aging, this research represents a novel approach to understanding these mechanisms in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aleksic, Sandra — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Aleksic, Sandra
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.