Investigating how the gut microbiome changes as people age
Official title: Prospective Study of the Gut Microbiome in Aging
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10875694 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut might change as we get older and how those changes could affect health issues like memory problems, weight gain, and heart disease, so if you're an older adult, your participation could help us learn how diet and lifestyle impact your health as you age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $943,516 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG067744-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875694 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those experiencing age-related health issues or interested in understanding how their gut health may affect their overall well-being.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 years old or those without any age-related health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between the gut microbiome and aging, focusing on how changes in gut bacteria may influence age-related health issues such as dementia, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. By conducting a large, prospective study, researchers aim to understand how diet, lifestyle, and the gut microbiome interact to affect health outcomes in older adults. Participants will be monitored over time to assess these interactions and their implications for aging-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving health and preventing diseases in older adults through dietary and lifestyle interventions targeting the gut microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that gut microbiome alterations are linked to various age-related diseases, suggesting that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chan, Andrew T — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chan, Andrew T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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This project looks at how the tiny living things in our gut, called the gut microbiome, might be connected to aging and heart-related conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure in American Indian communities.
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Understanding how gut bacteria affect brain aging and Alzheimer's risk
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut might affect brain health as we get older, especially for people at risk of Alzheimer's, and it aims to find ways to lower the chances of developing dementia by involving patients in brain scans and memory tests.
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Investigating how gut bacteria change with age and affect health in monkeys.
This study is looking at how changes in gut bacteria as we age can affect our health, like frailty and diabetes, and it’s designed for older adults who want to understand how their gut health might influence their well-being as they get older.
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Using gut bacteria to help prevent muscle loss in older adults.
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut might help older adults keep their muscles strong when they can't move around, like after an injury or surgery, by testing if transferring gut contents from active mice can make a difference.
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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.
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.