Prefrontal-cingulate brain networks and aging in humans
Official title: Prefrontal-cingulate functional networks in aging monkeys: neural circuit substrates of cognitive aging
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11463402 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how aging affects brain networks in the frontal areas to help understand age-related memory and thinking changes in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $771,466 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG083206-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463402 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older, particularly those at risk for age-related cognitive decline or ADRD.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly benefit individuals with other non-age-related brain disorders.
What this research studies
This project investigates how aging alters the connections between front brain regions and how these changes relate to memory and thinking difficulties. Using non-invasive brain imaging, researchers will look at functional networks in the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate to understand how aging reshapes brain activity. The study aims to connect cellular and circuit-level changes with whole-brain network dynamics to shed light on conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. If successful, findings could inform strategies to maintain cognitive health in aging adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how aging affects brain networks could lead to new ways to preserve cognition in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior human studies show that aging impacts resting-state brain networks, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Medalla, Maria — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Medalla, Maria
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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.