Mitochondria in the aging brain and immune system
Mapping Mitochondrial Diversity in the Aging Brain and Immune System
Researchers will map mitochondrial patterns in brain and immune cells from older adults to look for links with Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11376057 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies tiny energy-producing parts of cells called mitochondria in the aging brain and immune system. Scientists will use single-cell RNA sequencing on brain tissue and immune cells from hundreds of older adults to build detailed 'mitotype' profiles that show how mitochondria behave in different cell types. They will compare these patterns across age, sex, and Alzheimer’s-related pathology to find mitochondrial signatures tied to disease. The findings aim to point toward new biomarkers or targets for treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults, especially those with or at risk for Alzheimer’s, who can provide blood samples and/or consent to brain donation for research.
Not a fit: Younger people or those who cannot provide samples or consent to tissue donation are unlikely to participate or gain direct benefit from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal mitochondrial signatures that help detect, monitor, or guide new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related research has linked mitochondrial changes to Alzheimer’s, but applying single-cell mitotype profiling at this large scale is a relatively new and more detailed approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Picard, Martin — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Picard, Martin
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 below.