Lactate's role in boosting brain energy during aging
Official title: Effects of lactate on brain carbohydrate metabolism in healthy aging
Funded at Northern Arizona University · NIH-11281736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short, easy-to-understand study is exploring whether lactate can help aging brains use glucose more efficiently to support memory and thinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern Arizona University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Flagstaff, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $416,802 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG098468-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11281736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 60 and older who are experiencing age-related memory changes and are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without age-related cognitive decline or dementia risk may be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how lactate affects brain energy use as people age, with a focus on those at risk for Alzheimer’s-type symptoms. Researchers will use a lactate infusion to see if it can keep brain glucose metabolism more robust during aging, potentially supporting learning and memory. The approach builds on exercise findings and tests a controllable way to stimulate a brain energy pathway that tends to decline with age. The study aims to translate basic observations into insights that could one day inform healthier aging for people at risk of Alzheimer’s dementia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to lactate-based strategies to support brain energy and possibly slow cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that lactate can influence brain metabolism and that exercise impacts brain energy use; this study tests a targeted lactate approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gibbons, Travis — Northern Arizona University
- Study coordinator: Gibbons, Travis
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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.