Advancing Research
by funding Grant Programs and Fellowships
Driving Innovation
by guiding studies such as the FAST Initiative, the SuperAgers Initiative, and the TAME Trial
Furthering the Field
by supporting the infrastructure of three NIA Initiatives and leading the Amplifying Geroscience Initiative.
Top Breakthroughs driven by AFAR Experts
Delaying Disease by Targeting Aging
Saving Costs by Extending Healthspan
What are the Hallmarks of Aging?
How and Why Do We Age?
What is Geroscience?
What is the Longevity Dividend?
What's Next in aging research?
The dynamic modulation of the synaptic connections between neurons in the brain is critical for memory. Decline in synapse function underlies memory loss in aging, but little is known about what factors make synapses more vulnerable to dysfunction with age. KIBRA (KIdney/BRAin) is a postsynaptic protein required for synaptic plasticity and memory. Genetic variation in KIBRA is associated with age-related memory deficits in older adults. Given the critical role of KIBRA protein at synapses, the amount of KIBRA expressed in the brain may modulate susceptibility to memory decline in aging. In this proposal, Dr. Tracy’s lab will investigate how KIBRA levels impact synapse dysfunction and memory loss in aging. The goal of this research is to uncover mechanistic insight into the susceptibility of synapses to dysregulation in aging which could guide development of a therapeutic approach to repair synapse function as a treatment for age-related memory loss.
