Metabolic clues from lipids to understand aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Metabolic age to define influences of the lipidome on brain aging in Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11596450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how lipids in the body relate to aging of the brain and the risk and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $295,782 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AG081322-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who contribute samples or participate in biomarker and cognitive assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without risk factors or disease will not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will map lipid profiles in people over time to see how these fats relate to brain aging and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. The project leverages large-scale lipidomics and metabolomics data, advanced informatics, and machine learning to connect peripheral lipid changes with brain biology. By building a comprehensive molecular atlas for AD, the study aims to identify pathways and potential drug targets that influence disease progression. The work involves collaboration across multiple cohorts and centers to share methods and findings openly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Advances could lead to new biomarkers and therapeutic targets that help diagnose, monitor, or treat Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous lipidomics and multi-omics efforts have yielded new insights and candidate targets, supporting the potential value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaddurah-Daouk, Rima F — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Kaddurah-Daouk, Rima F
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Lipids and brain aging in Alzheimer's disease
Aims to understand how lipids in the body relate to aging of the brain and Alzheimer's disease by studying blood and brain-related lipid patterns.
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Metabolic clues from lipids in aging and Alzheimer's disease
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Team science approach to study aging and Alzheimer’s disease with machine learning and functional genomics
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Researchers will combine live brain imaging in animals with computer simulations to understand how aging and Alzheimer’s disease change the prefrontal cortex and relate to memory and thinking problems.
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Biobehavioral signatures of repetitive head impacts and aging-related dementia
Aging adults with a history of repetitive head impacts are being studied to understand how these exposures relate to brain changes and Alzheimer’s-related markers.
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.