Understanding Brain Changes in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Official title: Integrating Experimental and Computational Models to Study the Prefrontal Microcircuit Changes During Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of Wyoming · NIH-11177718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to uncover how brain circuits in the prefrontal cortex change during healthy aging and as Alzheimer's disease progresses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wyoming NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Laramie, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,370 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG087909-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but focuses on understanding the brain changes relevant to individuals experiencing healthy aging or living with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from participating in this basic science research.
What this research studies
We are combining advanced imaging techniques with computer models to look closely at the brain's prefrontal cortex. By observing brain activity in living animals and using these observations to build detailed computer simulations, we hope to understand the tiny changes happening in brain circuits. This approach helps us see how normal aging and Alzheimer's disease affect these important brain areas, which are crucial for thinking and memory. Our goal is to better understand the root causes of cognitive problems in Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of Alzheimer's disease, potentially guiding the development of new ways to detect or treat the condition.
How similar studies have gone: While the integration of these specific experimental and computational models is a novel approach, individual components like in vivo calcium imaging and computational modeling have shown success in neuroscience research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wyoming
Laramie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yun — University of Wyoming
- Study coordinator: Li, Yun
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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.