Muscle body clock and mitochondrial health to support better aging
Official title: Circadian regulation of mitochondrial function by muscle RORs to promote healthy aging
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11187219 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores whether boosting the muscle 'body clock' can help keep muscles and their energy makers (mitochondria) healthier as people age.
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 | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $497,179 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG089967-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187219 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults worried about age-related loss of muscle strength or stamina could be future candidates for trials derived from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with acute muscle injuries or conditions unrelated to age-related mitochondrial decline may not benefit from the approaches studied here.
What this research studies
The team studies how muscle-specific clock proteins (RORs) control mitochondrial function and muscle strength using animal models and a natural compound called nobiletin. They compare young and aged animals and look at muscle function and gene activity at different times of day to capture circadian effects. The goal is to find time-dependent mechanisms and interventions that could be adapted for people to preserve muscle health during aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways (drugs or timing-based strategies) to preserve muscle strength and energy with age.
How similar studies have gone: Related animal studies, including treatment with the ROR agonist nobiletin, have shown improved muscle and metabolic function in mice, but human benefit remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Zheng — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Chen, Zheng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
MyGoals for Healthy Aging among people at risk for Alzheimer’s dementia
A multi-center trial tests whether a combined program addressing poverty-related stress and executive function can slow aging and reduce risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease in adults.
-
Healthy aging in Black adults and its links to dementia risk
This grant follows a large group of Black adults to understand how aging, brain health, and life experiences influence Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
-
How early-life spending shape aging and dementia risk later in life
A Stanford-led study looks at how state and county spending in childhood may influence midlife thinking skills and the risk of dementia in later life.
-
Costa Rica long-lived older adults follow-up (Wave 4)
We will re-contact Costa Rican adults aged 70 and older (and their spouses) to collect health, thinking, and blood information to find what helps people live longer and stay mentally sharp.
-
Mapping tiny blood vessels in the brain's memory area and how they relate to Alzheimer's changes
Researchers are using ultra-high-resolution brain scans and tissue staining to map tiny blood vessels in the entorhinal cortex to learn how those patterns relate to Alzheimer's disease.
-
The chemical language of human gut bacteria and aging
A Duke University study will look at how healthy aging is linked to molecules produced by gut bacteria, with a focus on people who might be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
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.