Mechanisms Underlying Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications that investigate the mechanisms underlying the association between olfactory decline and aging or Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD). Understanding these mechanisms may help inform the potential use of olfactory dysfunction with age as an indicator of various health outcomes in older adults (e.g. physical function) and as a predictor of AD/ADRD risk. Identifying circuit-level olfactory changes may also uncover novel targets for developing disease-modifying therapeutic strategies. Studies may include older adults and/or animal models and may employ a variety of approaches, including cellular, molecular, imaging, physiological, omics and new approach methodologies (NAMs) to address the research gaps.Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO intends to utilize the R01 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of aging research are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.