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Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Sarcopenia in Older Adults

Award Number: R21AG098538
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2028

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Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Sarcopenia in Older Adults - Project Summary/Abstract The increasing use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) among older adults highlights the urgent need to investigate their potential impact on skeletal muscle health, as emerging concerns suggest they may accelerate muscle loss and worsen sarcopenia—the age-related decline in muscle mass and function. Current evidence linking GLP-1 RAs to muscle loss is largely based on extrapolated data from studies in younger individuals, which often measure lean body mass rather than directly assessing muscle mass. This critical knowledge gap leaves older adults, who are already at a higher risk for sarcopenia, particularly vulnerable to potential muscle-related complications from GLP-1 RA therapy. This project will evaluate the effects of GLP-1 RA pharmacotherapy on muscle health in older patients before and six months after treatment. Specifically, we will measure muscle mass and investigate the underlying processes that regulate muscle mass (i.e., muscle protein synthesis and breakdown) using stable isotope tracer methodologies. Additionally, we will assess changes in muscle fiber types, mitochondrial function, and overall muscle quality/functional capacity. Single muscle fibers will be isolated from collected muscle samples to determine fiber type distribution. Mitochondrial function will be assessed using mitochondrial respiration assays in isolated mitochondria, while muscle quality will be evaluated based on strength measurements from dynamometry, adjusted for muscle mass. While concerns exist about GLP-1 RA pharmacotherapy and potential muscle loss, emerging evidence suggests it may have beneficial effects on muscle quantity and quality in older adults. This project will generate foundational data essential for understanding its specific impact on muscle health in this population. The findings will help fill a critical knowledge gap and provide key data for larger, hypothesis-driven clinical trials, ultimately advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between GLP-1 RA pharmacotherapy and muscle health in older adults.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $436,228 )
2026	2026	ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY	1475 N SCOTTSDALE RD STE 200	SCOTTSDALE	AZ	85257	MARICOPA	USA	Aging Research	000	1	5/21/2026	NEW	$436,228
														Subtotal = $436,228

Grand Total All Awards = $436,228

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Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Sarcopenia in Older Adults

Award Number: R21AG098538

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2028

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