Brain Iron-Mediated Effects of Inflammation and Mitochondrial Metabolic Dysfunction on Cognitive Aging
Several mechanisms are thought to drive brain and cognitive decline in aging: decreased mitochondrial energy production, oxidative stress, and increased inflammation. All of these mechanisms converge on the accumulation and action of iron in the brain, which is an MRI biomarker that allows studying these factors in relation to human cognitive decline. Dr. Daugherty will work with a community-based cohort in the Detroit, MI area that represents nearly the entire adult lifespan with repeated measurements up to 20 years. Brain iron concentration will be studied in combination with genetic and blood markers of inflammation, inherited mitochondria DNA indicators of metabolic energy and oxidative damage, as well as additional MRI measures for brain energy production to predict changes in brain volume and memory functions during aging. Results from this study will not only test what mechanisms drive brain and cognitive aging, but also when different components take effect in the lifespan.
