Weâre thrilled to share that Jacqueline Palmer, PT, DPT, PhD â a MnDRIVE neuromodulation scholar and an assistant professor in the Division of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science at the University of Minnesota Medical School â has been awarded a $2.2 million New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate a remarkable group of older adults: those who remain cognitively sharp and physically fast-walking â in essence, defying age-related decline.
Whatâs the study about?
The award will fund research targeting older adults aged 75 and over who demonstrate both normal cognitive function and walking speed comparable to people 30 years younger â a group the team calls âfast-moving SuperAgersâ.
Key components of the study include:
Measuring how these individualsâ brains adapt in real time during rapid, standing balance reactions.
Quantifying changes in brain blood flow during neural learning involved in those quick balance responses.
Seeking to identify protective brainâmechanisms (neuroplasticity, resilience) that allow some older adults to avoid typical ageârelated decline.
Why is this important?
Aging research often zeroes in on what goes wrong (pathology, decline). This study instead looks at what goes right â the outliers who maintain high function well into older age.
Understanding mechanisms of resilience could lead to preventive strategies and interventions to help more people maintain cognitive and physical health as they age.
The combination of cognition and physical mobility is especially meaningful: walking speed is linked to independence and quality of life in older adults.
The study leverages advanced instrumentation and the strong olderâadult population base in Minnesota, giving it a unique ânatural laboratoryâ advantage.
Who is Dr. Palmer & whatâs the context?
Dr. Palmer is an earlyâcareer researcher (within 10 years of final degree) at a major research university. The NIHâs New Innovator Award is designed for investigators like her who propose unusually innovative research ideas that havenât yet been supported by large independent NIH grants.
Her location at the University of Minnesota â embedded in a state with many healthy, active older adults and strong research infrastructure â positions her exceptionally well to carry out this project.
What the project hopes to achieve
Characterize the neural and circulatory signatures of older adults who remain sharp and mobile.
Identify modifiable targets (e.g., neuroplasticity, blood-flow regulation, balance control) that could guide interventions for the general aging population.
Ultimately, shift the paradigm of aging research from damage control to resilience building.
Lay groundwork for broader studies and perhaps new therapeutic avenues â e.g., training programs, lifestyle modifications, deviceâbased approaches.
How you can participate
If you or someone you know is 75 years or older, maintains normal cognition, and walks at a speed comparable to someone 30 years younger, the study team is recruiting participants!
To express interest:
Participation could be a chance to contribute to science, help shape future agingâhealth interventions, and be part of a pioneering investigation into brain resilience.
Why the timing and region matters
The study is slated to begin recruitment in January 2026.
Minnesotaâs robust older adult cohort and the Universityâs imaging/neurology/rehab science resources make it a prime location to execute this kind of highâtech, realâtime measurement study.
Aging populations are growing rapidly in the U.S. and worldwide â so insights from a study like this have broad relevance.
