Understanding Brain Changes in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Investigating age-related neural dedifferentiation longitudinally and in Alzheimer’s pathology
This project explores how brain activity patterns change as we get older and in people with Alzheimer's disease, focusing on a brain chemical called GABA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11111316 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As we age, brain activity patterns can become less distinct, which is linked to changes in memory and thinking. Our previous work found a connection between these brain changes and lower levels of GABA, a key brain chemical. We plan to follow people over time to see how GABA levels, brain distinctiveness, and behavior change together. We will also look at these same measures in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment who show signs of Alzheimer's disease in their brain. This will help us understand how the brain changes with age and Alzheimer's and how these changes affect daily life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates might include older adults experiencing typical aging or individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment, especially those with known amyloid beta and tau burden.
Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing age-related cognitive changes or those with advanced dementia may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these fundamental brain changes could lead to new strategies for maintaining thinking skills as we age and developing future treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: This work builds on previous findings that show brain activity patterns become less distinct with age and are linked to a brain chemical called GABA.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Polk, Thad a — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Polk, Thad a
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 below.