Brain-muscle axis: association between clinical markers of dementia and sarcopenia in the oldest old and the importance of kynurenine pathway metabolism in the development of these geriatric syndromes

• Grant number: 24/15768-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Gisele Wally Braga Colleoni
• Grantee: Gisele Wally Braga Colleoni
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Maysa Seabra Cendoroglo

Abstract

Sarcopenia and neurocognitive disorder, including dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), are common conditions among the elderly, with a high potential to cause disability, and loss of independence and autonomy. Although multifactorial, these conditions share pathophysiological factors that suggest a connection between them. The search for biomarkers that confirm this link and identify these conditions early is essential to develop pharmacological interventions that promote healthy longevity in the future. Non-pharmacological measures, such as nutritional adequacy and physical exercise, are important for both conditions. However, there is currently no single and effective pharmacological treatment for both pathologies. Acting on the mechanisms that link these conditions may represent a potential target for therapy. We hope to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the muscular and cognitive health of long-lived patients being monitored at the Hospital São Paulo outpatient clinic to establish the correlation between their physical and mental capacity. Furthermore, we intend to collect biomarkers related to the tryptophan metabolism/kynurenine pathway to identify metabolites that assess muscular and cognitive health and are easily accessible for clinical practice. Based on these data, we will look for possible targets for pharmacological interventions to benefit both conditions. (AU)