# Alcohol and dysfunctional skeletal muscle mass: implications in aging

> **NIH NIH R21** · LSU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER · 2024 · $219,612

## Abstract

Abstract Alcohol and dysfunctional skeletal muscle mass: implications in aging
Alcohol use decreases skeletal muscle strength and function resulting in alcohol-related myopathy; one of the
earliest alcohol-associated pathologies. Alcohol use is disproportionately on the rise among older individuals,
with 25% engaging in heavy drinking and 11% reporting binge drinking. The increasing average life expectancy
in the United States leads us to predict that alcohol use will be an important factor exacerbating dysfunctional
SKM mass in chronological aging. Functional skeletal muscle mass is a critical contributor to overall physical
performance. Poor physical performance is closely linked to frailty syndrome that increases the risk of adverse
health outcomes, is a significant predictor of needing specialized care, and increases the risk for all-cause
mortality. Hence there is a critical need to understand the underlying mechanisms that can be targeted to reduce
risk, delay onset, or better manage frailty. One of the salient skeletal muscle-mediated mechanisms contributing
to physical performance and frailty is mitochondrial function. However, there is a gap in our understanding of the
interactions of alcohol use on physical performance and frailty in chronological aging, and on the role of
mitochondrial dyshomeostasis as a contributing factor. We propose a cross sectional study among people over
the age of 60 with or without alcohol use, with no overt underlying comorbidities, to test the overall hypothesis
that alcohol use decreases physical performance and increases frailty risk. We will investigate the mechanisms
involved in alcohol-associated dysregulation of SKM mitochondrial homeostasis to identify modifiable targets
amenable for lifestyle or pharmacological interventions. The results generated using these hypothesis-driven
studies will provide data that will inform translational targeted interventions to improve muscle mitochondrial
function. This application addresses one of the target areas of NIAAA's Strategic Plan to develop effective
strategies to prevent consequences of alcohol use in older individuals and is highly responsive to the NOSI:
“Alcohol and aging” and leverages the interdisciplinary translational team science approach within an outstanding
scientific infrastructure provided by the Comprehensive Alcohol Research Center at LSUHSC-NO.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10932364
- **Project number:** 5R21AA030869-02
- **Recipient organization:** LSU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Liz Simon
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $219,612
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-20 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10932364

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10932364, Alcohol and dysfunctional skeletal muscle mass: implications in aging (5R21AA030869-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10932364. Licensed CC0.

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