Understanding how muscle cells change as we age
Official title: Myonuclear dynamics during skeletal muscle aging
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11083148 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how muscle cells change as we get older, especially focusing on a part of the cells called myonuclei, to better understand why older adults lose muscle strength and size, with the hope of finding ways to keep muscles healthy as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $414,942 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082697-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083148 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old, particularly those experiencing muscle loss or related conditions due to aging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 or do not have any muscle-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the changes in muscle cells, specifically focusing on myonuclei, as people age. It aims to uncover the mechanisms behind sarcopenia, a condition characterized by muscle loss in older adults. By using a unique mouse model, the researchers will explore how the number of myonuclei affects muscle size and function, which could lead to new insights into maintaining muscle health in aging individuals. The study employs advanced tracking strategies to monitor myonuclear populations and their role in muscle adaptation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for sarcopenia, improving muscle health and quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding muscle aging, but this specific approach using myonuclear dynamics is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Millay, Douglas Paul — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Millay, Douglas Paul
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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.