Investigating how vitamin A can help improve memory and learning in aging and Alzheimer's disease.
Official title: The hippocampal dentate gyrus in aging and Alzheimer's disease: boosting transcription of retinoic acid-sensitive genes through vitamin A supplementation and HDAC inhibition
Funded at Texas Tech University Health Scis Center · NIH-11076699 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how vitamin A and certain natural compounds might help improve memory and learning in older adults and people with Alzheimer's by boosting important brain functions that can be weakened by aging and stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University Health Scis Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $620,095 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG073826-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076699 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include older adults experiencing cognitive decline or individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cognitive impairments not related to aging or Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the hippocampal dentate gyrus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory, which is affected by aging and Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to understand how vitamin A supplementation and the inhibition of certain enzymes can boost the expression of genes that are sensitive to retinoic acid, potentially reversing cognitive decline. By examining the effects of oxidative stress and the role of dietary antioxidants, the research seeks to uncover new therapeutic strategies for improving cognitive function in older adults and those with Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance memory and cognitive function in aging individuals and those suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been clinical trials involving antioxidants, this specific approach focusing on vitamin A and its effects on gene expression in the context of aging and Alzheimer's is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University Health Scis Center
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawrence, John Joshua — Texas Tech University Health Scis Center
- Study coordinator: Lawrence, John Joshua
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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.