Understanding how the human brain changes with age
Official title: Profiling the human dentate gyrus across the lifespan with spatially-resolved transcriptomics
Funded at Lieber Institute, INC. · NIH-10724575 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a part of the brain important for learning and memory changes as we get older, focusing on older adults to see how these changes might affect their thinking and emotions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lieber Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $509,389 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG083328-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10724575 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older, particularly those in advanced age or experiencing cognitive changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under 21 years old or those with acute neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory, to understand how its function and structure change throughout a person's life. By examining gene expression in the dentate gyrus, researchers aim to uncover how these changes relate to cognitive abilities and emotional regulation in older adults. The study employs advanced techniques like single-nucleus RNA sequencing to analyze brain cells at a detailed level, providing insights into the biological processes that may affect aging and cognitive health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing cognitive function and emotional well-being in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized similar techniques to explore brain function, indicating a promising avenue for understanding aging in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Lieber Institute, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Page, Stephanie Cerceo — Lieber Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Page, Stephanie Cerceo
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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.