Understanding how aging affects protein turnover in brain cells
Official title: Dissecting the integrated mechanisms of protein turnover to prevent proteostatic decline with aging
Funded at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation · NIH-11370531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aging changes how proteins are broken down and rebuilt in brain cells, and this study explores why and how those changes happen.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $668,281 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG074551-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older, particularly those with aging-related brain features or interest in brain health research.
✕Less likely to help
People without aging-related brain concerns or those not contributing tissue or cellular samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how aging alters the turnover of proteins in brain tissue and specific cell types like astrocytes. Researchers will examine different proteins and how their breakdown and synthesis change with age, including how lifespan-extending treatments impact turnover. The work uses human tissue samples and cellular analyses to map which proteins turn over more or less and how cell proliferation relates to proteostasis. The goal is to clarify conflicting findings so future therapies can better support brain health as people age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform therapies that preserve brain protein balance and slow age-related cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown mixed results on how aging affects protein turnover, making this investigation timely and potentially practice-changing.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Benjamin Francis — Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Miller, Benjamin Francis
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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.