Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Nov 12: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has sanctioned a research grant of Rs 2 crore to a multidisciplinary consortium led by the University of Lucknow to study human longevity, cognitive health and the biological mechanisms associated with ageing.

The funding has been approved under ICMR's ANVESHAN initiative for a project titled 'A Pilot Study on AI-Driven Gut-Brain Axis Framework Targeting Neuropeptide Signatures in Ageing Humans'.

The research aims to combine artificial intelligence with biochemical, clinical and computational approaches to understand how interactions between the gut and brain change with age. It will also examine whether specific neuropeptide markers can help identify biological changes associated with healthy ageing and age-related neurological and metabolic disorders.

Dr Rudra Prakash Ojha of the Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, will lead the project as the principal investigator, while Dr Raj Kamal Srivastava from the same department will serve as the co-principal investigator.

Dr Sumit Rungta of King George's Medical University (KGMU) and Dr Shailendra Kumar Singh of SS Khanna Girls Degree College will also participate as co-principal investigators.

The study is expected to help identify early biological markers associated with dementia, memory loss and other neurological conditions. It may also provide insights into age-related metabolic disorders and support the development of preventive and therapeutic approaches targeting the gut-brain connection.

The researchers aim to identify subtle metabolic and neurological changes that may occur before symptoms of cognitive decline become clinically evident. The findings could also help lay the groundwork for new gut-targeted interventions to promote healthy ageing and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.

According to the research team, the ICMR grant marks significant recognition of the collaborative scientific efforts of the participating institutions. The multidisciplinary project is expected to bring together expertise from different fields to explore new approaches to understanding ageing and improving long-term health.

ICMR provides financial assistance to scientists working outside its institutes through its Extramural Research Programme. The programme supports research in medicine, public health and allied disciplines with the broader objective of improving the health of people in India.