The role of T helper cells in chronic inflammation and multiple diseases in older adults

T helper cells in development of chronic inflammation and multimorbidity

NIH-funded research Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10904014

This study is looking at how certain immune cells called T helper cells can cause ongoing inflammation and contribute to health issues like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's in older adults, with the goal of finding better treatments to reduce inflammation.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Winston-Salem, United States)
Project IDNIH-10904014 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how T helper cells contribute to chronic inflammation and the development of multiple diseases in older adults. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which these immune cells infiltrate tissues and influence inflammatory responses, particularly in conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. By analyzing data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, the research aims to provide insights that could lead to more targeted anti-inflammatory therapies. The study seeks to bridge the gap between animal studies and human health by characterizing the role of immune cells in inflammation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing multimorbidity or chronic inflammatory conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger and do not have chronic inflammatory diseases or multimorbidity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for chronic diseases associated with aging by targeting inflammation more effectively.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that targeting inflammation can reduce risks for certain chronic diseases, but the specific role of T helper cells in humans remains less explored.

Where this research is happening

Winston-Salem, 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 Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndrome
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.