# Chronic MitoQ Supplementation for Improving Cerebrovascular Function in Older Adults

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · 2024 · $42,030

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The purpose of this Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award is to provide support for Ms.
Sanna Darvish, a PhD student in Dr. Douglas Seals’ laboratory at the University of Colorado Boulder, to
conduct research that will prepare her to become an independent investigator in the field of cerebrovascular
aging. As part of her proposed training plan, she will learn a variety of new technical, conceptual, intellectual,
and professional skills and refine research skills currently under development. To do so, she will add
outcomes to an ongoing NIH R01-funded clinical trial led by her Sponsor to investigate the efficacy of the
mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, MitoQ, for improving cerebrovascular function in older adults and the
mechanism(s) of action. She will also assess the effects of MitoQ on fluid cognitive function. Cardiovascular
diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in the U.S. Cerebrovascular diseases represent 37% of all
CVD and, when considered alone, are the 5th most common cause of death. Aging is the primary risk factor for
CVD, cerebrovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Decreased cerebrovascular
function (i.e., reduced cerebrovascular reactivity [CVR] and cerebral blood flow) is a key mechanism
contributing to the age-related increase in risk for these diseases and is mediated in part by decreases in the
vasodilatory molecule nitric oxide (NO), leading to cerebral endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction. Excessive
reactive oxygen species production by mitochondria (mtROS) is an important contributor to
cerebrovascular dysfunction as mtROS can scavenge NO and impair EC function. As such, establishing novel
strategies to decrease mtROS to improve cerebrovascular function in older adults is an important biomedical
research priority. Supported by a strong scientific premise and compelling preliminary results, Ms. Darvish
will use innovative translational approaches to determine if three months of MitoQ treatment (versus placebo;
n=30/group) in older adults (60 years of age) Aim 1) improves cerebrovascular function; Aim 2) if the
improvements are mediated by a) reductions in tonic suppression of cerebrovascular function by mtROS, and
b) beneficial changes in the circulating milieu that improve cerebral EC function; and Aim 3) if MitoQ improves
fluid cognition and if improvements are associated with enhanced cerebrovascular function. The proposed
research will be the first to assess the efficacy of MitoQ treatment for improving cerebrovascular function in
older adults, a group at elevated risk for cerebrovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and related
dementias. This F31 fellowship project addresses important NIA research priorities to: 1) identify effective
interventions aimed at preventing age-related diseases, and 2) investigate biological mechanism(s)
involved in aging using translational, systems-based approaches. Under the supervision of her mentors, Ms.
Darvish wi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10998168
- **Project number:** 1F31AG087709-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- **Principal Investigator:** Sanna Darvish
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $42,030
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10998168

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10998168, Chronic MitoQ Supplementation for Improving Cerebrovascular Function in Older Adults (1F31AG087709-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10998168. Licensed CC0.

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