Understanding why some very old people stay cognitively sharp or become vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Multi-Omic Characterization of Molecular Pathways Driving Vulnerability and Resilience to Alzheimer's disease in the Oldest-Old
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11347868 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study people aged 90 and up to find molecular clues that explain why some stay brain-healthy while others develop Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $636,124 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG100345-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11347868 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults aged 90 and above, especially those in the 90+ Study with or without cognitive impairment, and their familial or clinical care teams.
✕Less likely to help
If a participant does not have or develop Alzheimer’s pathology or related cognitive decline, direct benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced genomic and spatial techniques on brain samples from the 90+ Study to map how brain cells behave and interact in extreme aging. By analyzing single-nucleus RNA and ATAC sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and whole-genome data, researchers aim to uncover cell-type specific patterns and regulatory networks linked to resilience or vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease. The study seeks to translate these molecular insights into new targets for therapies that could preserve brain health in very old age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify new therapeutic targets and strategies to maintain cognitive function in the oldest-old and delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous multi-omics studies in aging and AD have revealed meaningful molecular targets, supporting the potential for impactful findings here.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swarup, Vivek — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Swarup, Vivek
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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.