Kidney-made fats that protect the heart as we age
Official title: Non-Autonomous Regulation of Cardiac Aging
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11208540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how certain fat molecules made in the kidney help keep the heart healthy as we grow older, with a focus on Alzheimer’s-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $523,313 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG095170-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11208540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with aging-related cardiac concerns or early-stage Alzheimer’s/dementia conditions may be relevant to future translational steps, depending on findings.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without aging-related heart issues or Alzheimer’s disease considerations may have limited direct benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
As we age, important fat molecules called plasmalogens drop in the body and may contribute to heart and brain problems seen in aging and Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers will explore how the kidney makes these plasmalogens, how they travel to the heart, and how they influence heart aging. They will use a multi-disciplinary approach to uncover mechanisms and test ideas that connect kidney health, plasmalogen levels, and cardiac function. The aim is to understand whether boosting kidney-derived plasmalogens could protect the heart and potentially impact dementia-related processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to support heart health during aging and provide clues about how metabolic changes relate to Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prevailing evidence in animal models suggests plasmalogens influence mitochondrial and cardiac function, but the specific kidney-heart communication mechanism is still being explored and remains exploratory in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bai, Hua — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Bai, Hua
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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.