Metformin for reversing accelerated aging in young adults with metabolic health issues
Official title: Pilot Project 1
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11626519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A practical plan to use metformin to help 18- to 35-year-olds with insulin resistance improve metabolic health and slow aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $228,800 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA285116-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11626519 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young adults (18–35) with insulin resistance living in the Coachella Valley region who can take metformin.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without insulin resistance or those with contraindications to metformin may not benefit.
What this research studies
This program aims to help young adults in a rural California community improve their metabolic health using a low-cost, widely available medication. We will enroll insulin-resistant participants aged 18–35 and give them metformin for 12 months, monitoring markers of aging and metabolism. The study builds on prior findings about metformin’s safety and potential to restore metabolic balance and reduce inflammation, framed around an accessible implementation approach. Results will inform whether this affordable treatment can be scaled to similar populations facing metabolic and aging-related health risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience improved metabolic health and a potential slowing of aging processes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests metformin can improve metabolic health and may impact aging markers, but results vary across populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seewaldt, Victoria L. — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Seewaldt, Victoria L.
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.