NIH-funded research R21 grant

Investigating how protein changes affect brain aging

Official title: Understanding protein turnover alterations in physiological brain aging

Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-10790402 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how changes in proteins in the brain as we age might affect our thinking and memory, with the hope of finding new ways to help people with age-related brain issues like Alzheimer's.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia Univ New York Morningside
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startAugust 15, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$412,751
NIH project number1R21AG085062-01
Project IDNIH-10790402 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older, particularly those experiencing cognitive decline or at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Less likely to help

Patients who are younger than 21 or do not have any cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how alterations in protein turnover contribute to the aging process in the brain. It aims to explore the mechanisms behind reduced proteome integrity, which is linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. By employing advanced techniques such as metabolic labeling and quantitative proteomics, the study seeks to uncover the molecular changes that occur with aging and their potential impact on brain health. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new therapeutic strategies for age-related cognitive impairments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve brain health and cognitive function in aging individuals.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding protein homeostasis can lead to significant advancements in treating neurodegenerative diseases, indicating a promising avenue for this study.

Where this research is happening

  • Columbia Univ New York Morningside
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Jovanovic, Marko — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
  • Study coordinator: Jovanovic, Marko

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.