Federal Grant Award Summary

Yale University received a $746,160 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866), effective March 20, 2026, with completion scheduled for February 28, 2031. The award funds research investigating the mechanisms by which peripheral inflammation contributes to cognitive decline and dementia risk in aging populations. The research will employ mouse models simulating common human inflammatory conditions—house dust mite (HDM)-induced respiratory allergy and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis—to examine how acute and chronic inflammation alter microglial and neuronal activity in age-dependent ways.

The primary deliverables include empirical research findings on the cellular and molecular mechanisms linking peripheral immune activation to neuroinflammatory responses, with specific focus on how aging modifies microglial sensitivity and neuronal connectivity. The project will advance understanding of the thresholds required to trigger neuroinflammatory responses that alter neuronal activity and identify age-dependent differences in these mechanisms. Results are expected to generate peer-reviewed publications and establish foundational knowledge for developing therapeutic interventions targeting the peripheral inflammation-dementia pathway in older adults.