The impact of midlife obesity on brain health and cognitive decline in older adults

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research investigates how obesity during midlife affects the aging brain and contributes to cognitive decline and dementia in individuals aged 65 and older. The study focuses on understanding the relationship between obesity and neurovascular health, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and nutritional interventions. By training in various methodologies, including biostatistics and single-cell analysis, the researcher aims to develop effective strategies to mitigate age-related cognitive impairments. Patients may benefit from insights into how lifestyle changes can improve brain health as they age.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
  Oklahoma City, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Tarantini, Stefano — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
• Study coordinator: Tarantini, Stefano

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Midlife obesity and prediabetes as triggers for later cognitive decline linked to immune dysregulation

  This grant explores how midlife obesity and prediabetes may lead to memory and thinking problems later in life by influencing brain inflammation and immune pathways.

  NIH research Michigan State University · East Lansing, United States · NIH-11345668

• How midlife obesity and prediabetes affect brain health in older adults

  This study is looking at how being overweight and having prediabetes in middle age might affect thinking and memory as we get older, especially by exploring how inflammation in the brain could play a role, and it aims to find ways to help prevent or slow down cognitive decline for older adults.

  NIH research Michigan State University · East Lansing, United States · NIH-11176336

• Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis

  This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11644470

• Understanding how maternal and infant sleep and daily rhythms influence early appetite and obesity risk

  This project explores how infant sleep, circadian rhythms, and maternal-infant timing relate to early appetite patterns and the risk of obesity in the first year of life.

  NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11628798

• 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.

  NIH research University of Texas Hlth Science Center · San Antonio, United States · NIH-11617103

• GLP-1 receptor agonists as immune targets to treat asthma in lean and obese adults

  Aims to understand how GLP-1R‑agonist diabetes medicines may directly calm immune cells to reduce asthma in adults who are lean or obese.

  NIH research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Nashville, United States · NIH-11616517

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.