Preventing age-related blood clots

Preventive mechanisms of Age-associated Thrombosis

NIH-funded research University of Iowa · NIH-11251585

Testing whether calorie restriction and drugs that boost mitochondrial defenses can lower dangerous blood clot risk in older adults and people with type 2 diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Iowa NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Iowa City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11251585 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project looks at why older people and people with type 2 diabetes form dangerous blood clots more easily, and what might stop that from happening. Researchers will use experiments in aged mice (including mice with diabetes) and lab tests on human platelets to see how calorie restriction and molecules that boost mitochondrial health affect clotting. They are especially focused on mitochondrial proteins like SIRT3 and SOD2 that control oxidative stress inside platelets. The team aims to find a druggable target that could lead to treatments to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deep vein clots linked to aging.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Older adults, particularly those with type 2 diabetes or obesity, or people willing to give blood samples for platelet testing, would be the most relevant candidates.

Not a fit: Younger patients or people whose clotting problems come from unrelated genetic disorders or currently well-controlled non-age-related causes may be unlikely to benefit directly from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deep vein thrombosis in older adults and people with type 2 diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Early lab and animal studies suggest targeting mitochondrial stress (for example by boosting SIRT3 or mimicking SOD2) can reduce platelet activation, but translating these findings into human prevention approaches remains largely unproven.

Where this research is happening

Iowa City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.