Understanding how aging affects the recycling process in brain cells
Official title: Ultrastructural alterations to neuronal autophagy during aging delineated with Cryo-EM tomography
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11037817 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how getting older affects the way brain cells clean up and recycle their parts, which could help us understand why some people experience memory problems or brain diseases as they age, and it might lead to new treatments to help with these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $429,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG090967-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037817 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing cognitive decline or those at risk for neurodegenerative diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and do not exhibit any cognitive impairment or neurodegenerative conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging alters the process of autophagy, which is the way brain cells recycle and remove damaged components. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to uncover the structural changes in autophagic vesicles in neurons as people age. The goal is to identify how these changes contribute to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets. Patients may benefit from insights that could inform future treatments for age-related cognitive issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding autophagy in other contexts, but this specific focus on aging and neuronal autophagy is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stavoe, Andrea — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Stavoe, Andrea
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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.