# Promoting physical activity to improve cognitive function in older adults undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $189,872

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Age is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) and hematological malignancies. The purpose
of this supplement is to understand the prevalence and impact of AD-neuropathology and
inflammation on cancer-related cognitive decline (CRCD) in older adults undergoing hematopoietic
cell transplantation (HCT). We will examine the interaction between CRCD and AD, in the context
of a physical activity intervention study. The parent award (NIA K23; PI Koll), which is currently in
the RCT phase, aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 6-month, moderate-
intensity physical activity intervention on cognitive function in older adults undergoing HCT. The
K23 study includes measures of cognitive domains vulnerable to CRCD, physical function and
physical activity. This supplement will add measures of brain volumes (MRI), inflammation, and
AD biomarkers in both the immediate intervention and the waitlist control group. Data collection
will occur during Year 4-5 of the K23 study. We will test the association between pre-HCT
(baseline) AD neuropathology on cognitive function and brain volumes longitudinally (Aim 1). We
will examine the effect of physical activity on the change in cognitive function and brain volume
longitudinally (Aim 2). We will explore the association between biomarkers of inflammation,
cognitive function and brain volume at baseline and 12 months post-HCT (Aim 3). The results of
this research will expand our knowledge on the shared mechanisms and interactions between AD
and CRCD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10939102
- **Project number:** 3K23AG070311-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Thuy Koll
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $189,872
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10939102

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10939102, Promoting physical activity to improve cognitive function in older adults undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (3K23AG070311-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10939102. Licensed CC0.

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