Neighborhood stress, air pollution, and DNA marks linked to aging
DNA methylation in context: Population patterns in social adversity and sensitivity to the health impact of air pollution
This project checks whether neighborhood hardships and air pollution change DNA markers tied to aging and thinking skills in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11089443 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to share where you live, describe neighborhood experiences, and give a blood sample so researchers can measure DNA methylation, a chemical mark on genes. The team combines those biological measures with air pollution data and measures of social adversity in neighborhoods to look for patterns tied to chronic disease and cognitive decline. They will examine differences across racial groups and whether social hardship makes people more sensitive to pollution's effects. Results could point to neighborhood-level or policy actions to help protect healthy aging and brain health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older adults from diverse racial and neighborhood backgrounds who can provide blood samples and information about their neighborhood and health.
Not a fit: Younger people or those seeking immediate medical treatment may not see direct benefits from this research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal why some people age or lose thinking skills faster and help target community or pollution-reduction efforts to protect health.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have linked pollution and social adversity to DNA methylation and health, but combining neighborhood social factors with pollution exposure to explain aging and cognition is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hicken, Margaret Takako — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Hicken, Margaret Takako
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.