Kerrie Moreau PhD

Kerrie L. Moreau, PhD

Title: Principal Investigator; Professor, CU Division of Geriatrics

Contact: kerrie.moreau@cuanschutz.edu

University of Colorado webpage

Personal Statement
I have been conducting clinical research studies focusing on sex hormones, exercise and cardiovascular aging for 20 years. My laboratory investigates the mechanisms underlying vascular protection of gonadal hormones, including how declines in ovarian function during the menopause transition, and low testosterone in aging men, contributes to an acceleration in cardiovascular aging, as characterized by endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening. intimal-medial thickening and cardiac dysfunction. As an exercise physiologist, we also investigate the modulatory influence of sex hormones on cardiovascular adaptations to habitual exercise. My laboratory uses a variety of experimental techniques and skills to study the integrative biology of the aging vasculature in humans, which has allowed me to develop a successful clinical research program to study the mechanisms underlying sex hormone deficiency and vascular aging in humans.

Research Interest

My translational research approach includes ultrasound imaging to examine the arteries and heart, gonadal suppression interventions to isolate the role of sex hormones, infusion models to isolate the influence of oxidative stress, and endothelial cell harvests from peripheral veins and arteries to determine cellular mechanisms. I am currently the PI on an NIH R01 award investigating the cardiovascular consequences of low testosterone in older men and its contributions to Alzheimer’s Disease risk and its related dementias in middle-aged and older men. Additionally, I am the Director of the Cardiovascular BioImaging Core at the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus which is a dedicated research facility for protocols utilizing cardiovascular imaging. In summary, I have demonstrated a productive record in carrying out clinical research studies that impact public health.

Grants & Funding

Cardiovascular Consequences of Hypogonadism in Men

Role: PI
The findings from this research should provide new information into whether declines in testosterone cause blood vessels and the heart in middle-aged and older men to become unhealthy. Moreover, determining the possible causes of cardiovascular health changes related to declines in testosterone may lead to the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies that favorably modify these factors and prevent or slow changes in vascular and cardiac health and decrease cardiovascular disease risk.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
NIH website
Publications of note:
— Assessment of macrovascular and microvascular function in aging males
— Body composition and cardiometabolic health across the menopause transition
— Sex Differences in Peripheral Artery Disease

Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) - Colorado Clinical Center

Role: Co-I; PI: 
Physical activity is known to have many beneficial effects on health, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are not well understood.
In 2016, the NIH Common Fund launched MoTrPAC to address this knowledge gap. MoTrPAC consists of several components (Clinical Centers, Preclinical Animal Sites, Chemical Analysis Sites, Bioinformatics Center, Coordinating Center) that are working together to develop a compendium of the molecular responses to acute exercise and exercise training, with a long-range goal of elucidating the mechanisms by which exercise improves health.
The final product of this initiative, which will be shared with the scientific community and the public, will be the MoTrPAC DataHub, populated with multi-omic, multi-tissue, and multi-species molecular and phenotypic data characterizing responses to acute and chronic endurance and resistance exercise.
Dr. Kohrt serves as the PI of the Colorado Clinical Center and as the Chair of the MoTrPAC Steering Committee and Executive Steering Committee. 
Funder: National Institutes of Health
NIH website
Recruiting ↠ Find out how to participate in the MoTrPAC study.

MitoQ supplementation for restoring aerobic exercise training effects on endothelial function in postmenopausal women

Role: PI
Regular exercise is associated with a reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. It is a therapeutic intervention for improving vascular health. Although regular aerobic exercise improves vascular health in older men, it has not consistently improved vascular health in older women. 
The proposed studies will test the efficacy of administering a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant (MitoQ) for restoring exercise training benefits on endothelial function in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
NIH website
Publications of note:
— Effects of Regular Exercise on Vascular Function with Aging: Does Sex Matter?

NightWare Therapeutic Platform for improving Cardiovascular Health in Adults With Nightmares Associated with PTSD

Role: PI
Sleep disturbances due to nightmares are a hallmark symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are associated with biomarkers of vascular aging, autonomic dysfunction, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). 
We are proposing a pilot clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of the NightWare digital therapeutic intervention (vibration delivered via Apple Watch) vs. sham (no vibration) for treating nightmares associated with sleep disturbances and cardiovascular health in adults with PTSD-related nightmares.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
NIH website

Integrative Physiology of Aging Training Grant

This Integrative Physiology of Aging T32 will train the next generation of clinicians and physiologists to understand better and investigate the specific needs/concerns of an aging population. 
This T32 emphasizes:
1. Co- mentoring of trainees by Primary and Secondary mentors.
2. Carefully constructed career development plans.
3. Exposure to leadership and “team training” skills to maximize future scientific impact.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
NIH website
Publications of note:
— Stakeholder and Data Driven Fall Screen in a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: Quality Improvement Initiative
— Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Are Associated With Age-Related Endothelial Dysfunction in Men With Low Testosterone
— Utilization of Mid-Thigh Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Predict Lean Body Mass and Knee Extensor Strength in Obese Adults

Bioenergetic and Metabolic Consequences of the Loss of Gonadal Function

Role: Co-I;
The decline in sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) with aging can increase the risk for certain diseases; osteoporosis is a well-known example. The loss of estrogen is significant for women’s health because it occurs during mid-life. In contrast, the loss of testosterone in men occurs much later in life. 
The Colorado Specialized Center of Research Excellence on Sex Differences (CO-SCORE) will advance novel ideas for how the loss of estrogen increases fat gain in the abdominal region, which increases the risk for heart disease and diabetes, and strategies that may be effective in preventing this.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
NIH website
Publications of note:
— Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Are Associated With Age-Related Endothelial Dysfunction in Men With Low Testosterone
— Sex Differences in Peripheral Artery Disease
— Body composition and cardiometabolic health across the menopause transition
— Metabolite G-Protein Coupled Receptors in Cardio-Metabolic Diseases

Repair of Vascular Contractility and Mitochondrial Function by NOS Recoupling

Role: Co-Mentor
Funder: Veterans Affairs
NIH website

Mechanism and Modulation of Sex Differences in Myocardial Steatosis Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Role: Co-I
Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH website

Mechanisms of Vascular Dysfunction with Advancing Reproductive Age

Role: Co-I
Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH website

Inspiratory muscle strength training for lowering blood pressure and improving endothelial function in postmenopausal women: comparison with "standard of care" aerobic exercise

Role: Co-I
Funder: National Institute on Aging
NIH website

Recent Publications

2024

Iwamoto SJ, Rice JD, Moreau KL, Cornier MA, Wierman ME, Mancuso MP, Gebregzabheir A, Hammond DB, Rothman MS. The association of gender-affirming hormone therapy duration and body mass index on bone mineral density in gender diverse adults. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2024 Apr 30;36:100348. doi: 10.1016/j.jcte.2024.100348. PMID: 38756206; PMCID: PMC11096741.

Libby AE, Solt C, Jackman M, Sherk V, Foright RM, Johnson GC, Nguyen TT, Breit M, Hulett N, Rudolph M, Roberson PA, Wellberg E, Jambal P, Scalzo RL, Higgins J, Kumar TR, Wierman ME, Pan Z, Shankar K, Klemm DJ, Moreau KL, Kohrt WM, MacLean PS. Effects of Follicle Stimulating Hormone on Energy Balance and Tissue Metabolic Health After Loss of Ovarian Function. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Mar 27. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00400.2023. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38536037.

Roy MK, Bothwell S, Kelsey MM, Ma NS, Moreau KL, Nadeau KJ, Rothman MS, Nokoff NJ. Bone Density in Transgender Youth on Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy. J Endocr Soc. 2024 Mar 12;8(5):bvae045. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvae045. PMCID: PMC10983072. PMID: 38562129

Ji H, Gulati M, Huang TY, Kwan AC, Ouyang D, Ebinger JE, Casaletto K, Moreau KL, Skali H, Cheng S. Sex Differences in Association of Physical Activity With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024 Feb 27;83(8):783-793. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.019. PMID: 38383092

2023

Usselman CW, Lindsey ML, Robinson AT, Habecker BA, Taylor CE, Merryman WD, Kimmerly D, Bender JR, Regensteiner JG, Moreau KL, Pilote L, Wenner MM, O'Brien M, Yarovinsky TO, Stachenfeld NS, Charkoudian N, Denfeld QE, Moreira-Bouchard JD, Pyle WG, DeLeon-Pennell KY. Guidelines on the Use of Sex and Gender in Cardiovascular Research. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2023 Nov 24. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00535.2023. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37999647.

Moreau KL, Clayton ZS, DuBose LE, Rosenberry R, Seals DR. Effects of Regular Exercise on Vascular Function with Aging: Does Sex Matter? Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2023 Nov 3. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00392.2023. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37921669

Lefferts WK, Reed KS, Rosonke RE, Augustine JA, Moreau KL. Age-Associated Increases in Middle Cerebral Artery Pulsatility Differ between Men and Women. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2023 Sep 8. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00453.2023. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37682233

Longtine AG, Venkatasubramanian R, Zigler MC, Lindquist AJ, Mahoney SA, Greenberg NT, VanDongen NS, Ludwig KR, Moreau KL, Seals DR, Clayton ZS. Female C57BL/6N mice are a viable model of aortic aging in women. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2023 Apr 28. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00120.2023. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37115626

Iwamoto SJ, Defreyne J, Kaoutzanis C, Davies RD, Moreau KL, Rothman MS. Gender-affirming hormone therapy, mental health, and surgical considerations for aging transgender and gender diverse adults. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Apr 19;14:20420188231166494. doi: 10.1177/20420188231166494. PMCID: PMC10126651. PMID: 37113210

Oneglia AP, Szczepaniak LS, Jaffery MF, Cipher DJ, McDonald JG, Haykowsky MJ, Moreau KL, Clegg DJ, Zaha V, Nelson MD. Myocardial steatosis impairs left ventricular diastolic-systolic coupling in healthy humans. J Physiol. 2023 Mar 8. doi: 10.1113/JP284272. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36891609

2022

Erickson ML, Allen JM, Beavers DP, Collins LM, Davidson KW, Erickson KI, Esser KA, Hesselink MKC, Moreau KL, Laber EB, Peterson CA, Peterson CM, Reusch JE, Thyfault JP, Youngstedt SD, Zierath JR, Goodpaster BH, LeBrasseur NK, Buford TW, Sparks LM. Understanding heterogeneity of responses to, and optimizing clinical efficacy of, exercise training in older adults: NIH NIA Workshop summary. Geroscience. 2022 Oct 15. doi: 10.1007/s11357-022-00668-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36242693

DuBose LE, Ozemek C, Wick T, Richardson V, Hildreth KL, Moreau KL. Role of BH4 Deficiency as a Mediator of Oxidative Stress-Related Endothelial Dysfunction in Menopausal Women. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2022 Sep 23. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00435.2022. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36149770

Kuczmarski AV, Welti LM, Moreau KL, Wenner MM. ET-1 as a Sex-Specific Mechanism Impacting Age-Related Changes in Vascular Function. Front Aging. 2021 Aug 31;2:727416. doi: 10.3389/fragi.2021.727416. PMCID: PMC9261354. PMID: 35822003

Babcock MC, DuBose LE, Hildreth KL, Stauffer BL, Cornwell WK 3rd, Kohrt WM, Moreau KL. Age-associated reductions in cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity are exaggerated in middle-aged and older men with low testosterone. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2022 Jun 30. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00245.2022. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35771224

Pabon M, Cheng S, Altin SE, Sethi SS, Nelson MD, Moreau KL, Hamburg N, Hess CN. Sex Differences in Peripheral Artery Disease. Circ Res. 2022 Feb 18;130(4):496-511. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.320702. Epub 2022 Feb 17. PMID: 35175843

Media

Digital Medicine as an Adjunct Treatment for Improving Sleep and Cardiovascular Health in Older Adults with PTSD

by Kerrie Moreau
18 January 2024

Watch: Digital Medicine as an Adjunct Treatment for Improving Sleep and Cardiovascular Health in Older Adults with PTSD