Understanding how aging affects muscle function and how exercise can help
Official title: Mediators of Muscle Rejuvenation with Aging
Funded at University of Arkansas at Fayetteville · NIH-11261451 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how aging affects muscle strength and whether exercise can help improve it, focusing on a protein called MYC that helps muscles adapt to working out, and it's being tested in mice to find ways to keep our muscles healthy as we get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arkansas at Fayetteville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fayetteville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $143,480 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG080047-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11261451 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing muscle weakness or decline in physical function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger or do not have age-related muscle decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the decline in muscle function that occurs with aging and how exercise may help reverse these effects. It focuses on a specific protein, MYC, which plays a crucial role in muscle adaptation to exercise. Using a mouse model, researchers will analyze how MYC can be controlled to enhance muscle function and health throughout life. The study involves various techniques, including RNA sequencing and DNA analysis, to understand the molecular changes in muscle cells as they age and respond to exercise.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving muscle health and function in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that exercise can mitigate age-related muscle decline, but this specific approach focusing on MYC is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Fayetteville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murach, Kevin — University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- Study coordinator: Murach, Kevin
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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.