The role of exercise on muscle health in Alzheimer's Disease
Official title: Exercise and muscle mitochondria in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11083138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exercise can help keep muscles healthy and improve energy production in people with Alzheimer's Disease, using mice to learn more about how muscle problems happen early on and how staying active might slow down the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $637,338 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080731-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083138 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's Disease who may benefit from exercise interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's Disease or those who are unable to engage in physical activity may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exercise affects muscle health and mitochondrial function in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). It focuses on understanding the decline in skeletal muscle mass and function that occurs early in AD, potentially due to poor mitochondrial health. By studying a mouse model of AD, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind muscle dysfunction and how exercise might help in delaying or preventing the progression of AD. The findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies that involve exercise as a treatment option for maintaining muscle health in patients with AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into how exercise can help preserve muscle function and potentially slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results regarding the benefits of exercise on cognitive and physical health in various populations, suggesting that this approach may be effective in Alzheimer's Disease as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drake, Josh C — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Drake, Josh C
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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.