Mapping brain changes in aging and Alzheimer's disease across sexes
Official title: Sexual dimorphic cell type and connectivity atlases of the aging and AD mouse brains
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11129767 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how aging and Alzheimer's disease affect the brains of mice, helping us understand the differences in brain structure and connections, which could give us important insights into how these changes happen in both men and women as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,570,319 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG084036-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129767 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals experiencing early signs of Alzheimer's disease or those at risk due to age or family history.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those not exhibiting any cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in brain structure and connectivity related to aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) by creating detailed 3D atlases of mouse brains. It focuses on both male and female mice of various ages to capture how these factors influence neurodegenerative changes. By utilizing advanced imaging techniques, the project aims to identify specific brain regions affected by AD and aging, providing a comprehensive resource for future studies. The findings could enhance our understanding of how sex differences impact brain health in aging and AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease that consider sex differences.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using similar approaches to map brain changes in neurodegenerative diseases, but this specific focus on sex differences in aging and AD is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Hong-Wei — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Dong, Hong-Wei
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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.