Understanding and Treating Liver Damage After Burns in Older Adults

Aging, Burn Trauma, and Liver Damage

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · NIH-11177608

This work explores why older individuals experience more severe liver damage after burn injuries and aims to find new ways to treat and detect this damage earlier.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11177608 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Older adults face a much higher risk of death from burn injuries compared to younger patients, partly due to severe liver damage. This project looks into a specific protein called MCJ in liver cells of aged mice after a burn, which seems to play a role in how the liver's energy factories (mitochondria) function. Researchers are also exploring how age-related inflammation might make this liver damage worse. The goal is to develop new treatments and better diagnostic tools to help older burn victims.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is focused on understanding and treating burn-induced liver damage, particularly in older individuals.

Not a fit: Patients without burn injuries or liver damage related to aging and burns would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments and earlier detection methods for liver damage in older burn patients, potentially improving their recovery and survival.

How similar studies have performed: While burn-induced liver damage is a known issue, this project proposes an innovative treatment strategy targeting a specific protein (MCJ) and a novel diagnostic approach.

Where this research is happening

Aurora, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.