Understanding why frailty differs by sex and how to measure it better
Official title: Unravelling the Sex-Frailty Paradox: Identification of Sex-Specific Determinants of Frailty
Funded at Institute for Systems Biology · NIH-11347870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A precision project will explore why women often look more frail than men at the same age but tend to live longer, using AI tools and human data to improve frailty measurements and interventions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institute for Systems Biology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $730,990 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG101742-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11347870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults who are assessed for frailty in clinical care or research, including diverse backgrounds and ages.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not currently being assessed for frailty or those outside the aging population may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses AI to examine common frailty tests across large global datasets to see if they work equally well for men and women. It also analyzes molecular and environmental data to identify sex-specific factors that drive frailty, with an emphasis on modifiable influences. Finally, it tests potential biological mechanisms in diverse mice to understand causal links between sex and frailty, guiding future prevention and treatment approaches for older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to more accurate frailty assessments and targeted strategies to prevent and treat frailty in both men and women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown sex differences in frailty components, with AI-driven analyses offering new insights but this exact integrative approach is innovative.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute for Systems Biology
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hadlock, Jennifer — Institute for Systems Biology
- Study coordinator: Hadlock, Jennifer
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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.