# Neurobiology of aging in the bat

> **NIH NIH R03** · SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $161,500

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Calcium dysregulation is a critical contributor to neuronal loss in normal aging and neurodegenerative
diseases. An important cause of calcium dysregulation is the loss of calcium binding proteins such as
parvalbumin, calbindin and calretinin. They serve as calcium buffers/sensors in many cells, especially
inhibitory neurons. An important consequence of calcium dysregulation is calpain activation, which is
postulated to cause brain aging and neurodegeneration. We hypothesize that there is (1) a progressive loss
of inhibitory neurons expressing calcium binding proteins, (2) disinhibition in affected brain regions, and (3)
increased calpain activation due to disinhibition as a function of age. Calpain activity will thus drive
neurodegeneration due to aging. To address this, we propose to use an attractive, but understudied model
of aging: Carollia perspicillata, the short-tailed fruit bat. Carollia has a lifespan >10 years and their
neuroanatomy is closer to that of primates than rodents are. We will determine age-dependent changes in
claustrum, hippocampal formation, and basal ganglia. Specifically, we will evaluate the expression of
calcium binding proteins (parvalbumin, calbindin, calretinin) and the expression and activity of calpains 1
and 2 and relate these changes to inhibitory control of neuronal networks. The data obtained from this pilot
grant will serve as a foundation for detailed mechanistic studies of neurodegeneration caused by aging and
disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10527777
- **Project number:** 1R03AG075644-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Rena Orman
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $161,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10527777

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10527777, Neurobiology of aging in the bat (1R03AG075644-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10527777. Licensed CC0.

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