Abstract

As the population aged 65 and older is projected to double by 2050, the number of individuals suffering from cognitive impairment and dementia is expected to rise significantly. While the detrimental effects of aging on brain function can be attributed to multiple factors, emerging evidence indicates that infections in peripheral organs – most notably the lungs – may play an important role in cognitive decline in older adults. Although recent studies suggest that the lungs and the brain communicate with each other, the exact mediators and targets involved in this communication are still not fully understood.

My research aims to investigate how respiratory virus infections impact cognitive health in older adults and to develop strategies to mitigate these effects. This knowledge is critically needed for the development of therapeutic interventions that mitigate the neurological impact of respiratory viruses and enhance brain resilience during aging. I will employ cutting-edge high-throughput methodologies, including high-dimensional flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing, alongside innovative in vivo perturbations to explore the relationship between peripheral inflammation and brain dysfunction. Ultimately, these studies will reveal critical links between respiratory infections and cognitive decline, paving the way for novel interventions to improve brain health and resilience in the aging population.