Pilot study using sled dogs to understand vitamin D and brain health in aging people
Official title: Pilot Study Establishing Sled Dogs as a Model for Vitamin D-mediated Neuroprotection in Human Cognitive Decline
Funded at University of Alaska Fairbanks · NIH-11336135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small project will look at how vitamin D intake and levels relate to aging and brain health in sled dogs as a bridge to human cognitive aging in circumpolar communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alaska Fairbanks NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fairbanks, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $219,912 |
| NIH project number | 2P20GM130443-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336135 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living in circumpolar regions, especially Alaska Native individuals, who may benefit from future trials linked to vitamin D and aging.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without concerns about aging or vitamin D-related health issues are unlikely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses sled dogs as a model to explore how diet and vitamin D status influence aging and brain health, with plans to translate findings to human circumpolar populations. Researchers will examine vitamin D intake, serum levels, and metabolic health markers in dogs and compare them with age-related brain changes. The study aims to identify optimal vitamin D levels that could support healthy aging for humans living in far-north regions. The approach combines nutrition, veterinary assessments, and observational data to inform potential human clinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could guide dietary vitamin D recommendations to promote healthier aging and cognitive function in circumpolar communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in animal models has suggested vitamin D may affect brain aging, but this specific sled-dog model is novel for translating to human circumpolar aging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunlap, Kriya L — University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Study coordinator: Dunlap, Kriya L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
-
NGF Metabolism as a biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
Researchers are studying whether patterns in nerve growth factor pathways in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical stages of Alzheimer's in people with genetic risk.
-
NGF metabolism as an early biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
This project tests whether NGF pathway proteins in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical changes in people with familial Alzheimer’s disease.
-
NGF Metabolic Dysfunction as a Marker of Cognitive Decline in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at nerve growth factor pathways in people with a genetic form of Alzheimer's to see if blood and spinal fluid markers can identify early brain changes before symptoms appear.
-
Optimizing a closed-loop digital meditation to help cognitive aging and stress in older adults
A mobile, personalized meditation program is being tested to help older adults maintain thinking skills and lower stress.
-
Cash transfers in South Africa to reduce dementia risk in later life
This project tests whether government cash transfers in rural South Africa help protect people’s thinking and memory as they age.
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.