View clinical trials related to Aging.
Filter by:The purpose of the ACTIVE study was to test if cognitive training interventions could maintain functional independence in elders by improving basic mental abilities, with follow-up assessments through five years.
This study randomized healthy sedentary people age 20-80 years to 16 weeks of supervised exercise versus no exercise. Several end points were evaluated after 16 weeks including insulin sensitivity and muscle physiology.
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of a computer-based training program on the memory and cognitive abilities of mature individuals undergoing healthy aging.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether Tai Chi Chih vs. cognitive behavioral therapy vs. sleep education reduces insomnia in older adults. The secondary goal of the study is to determine whether the behavioral treatment of insomnia alters proinflammatory cytokine activity.
The role of dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated ester (DHEAS) [together known as DHEA(S)] in humans remains to be fully elucidated. They are the most abundant circulating steroid hormones in humans with the principle source of production being the adrenal glands. In adrenalectomised or hypoadrenal subjects it is not standard clinical practice to replace this hormone. Whilst this lack of DHEA(S) is clearly not life threatening, the published literature on the psychological effects of replacement in this population has shown some benefit in quality of life but data concerning the metabolic effects is conflicting and incomplete. We wish to carry out a study to measure the effect of DHEA(S) replacement in a group of adrenalectomised / hypoadrenal subjects and measure the outcome of a number of psychological and metabolic parameters both prior to and after twelve weeks of 50 mg/day DHEA(S) in a double blind randomised cross over design. Mood, quality of life and sexual well being will be assessed using validated questionnaires. In addition, we will utilise the GCRC facility to measure body composition using total body water and DEXA. We will measure insulin sensitivity, exercise performance, muscle fatigability and VO2 max. Pre- and post- intervention muscle biopsies will assess DHEA(S) effects on myosin heavy chain isoform expression; skeletal muscle mitochondrial ATP production and be used to assess muscle enzyme levels.
The purpose of the SMART study was to better understand whether the body's own production of growth hormone (GH) would improve memory and problem solving ability, or cognitive function. The study was a double blind, placebo-controlled study of the cognitive effects of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) in healthy older men and women and in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Sarcopenia is a major health problem among the rapidly expanding elderly population in our society. Disabilities directly related to muscle weakness, and indirectly related to changes in body composition and metabolic dysfunctions, are causing a staggering toll in disability and health care costs. Osteopenia occurs almost simultaneously with sarcopenia in the elderly population and muscle weakness increases the risk for falls and therefore, fractures. Although these issues have been separate addressed in several studies, an integrated investigational approach to better understand the pathogenesis of sarcopenia and other age-related metabolic abnormalities and to investigate the potential role of androgens have not been undertaken in a comprehensive manner. The program contains four independent research programs, each representing different research disciplines, and four separate cores supporting the four projects. The main focus of the project is to determine the effect of the replacement of testosterone in elderly men and DHEA in elderly men and women and to compare these effects with placebo treatment over a two-year period. Project 1, "Effect of Androgen Replacement on Muscle Metabolism" will specifically determine whether these interventions have a differential effect on size and quality of muscle in terms of strength and metabolic functions. Project 2, "Effect of Androgen Replacement on Bone Metabolism," will determine the effects of this intervention on bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover. Project 3, "The Effect of Androgen Replacement on Carbohydrate Metabolism," will determine whether the age-associated decrease in circulating androgens contributes to the alterations in carbohydrate metabolism that are commonly observed in the elderly and on insulin action, insulin secretion, and glucose effectiveness. Project 4, "Effect of Androgen Replacement on Fat Metabolism" will determine whether changes in fat distribution that occur with aging could result from differences in regional fatty acid uptake and systemic fatty acid kinetics, and whether these determinants of fat distribution are altered by the interventions. The data emerging from these studies will be integrated to determine the intervention of sarcopenia with other metabolic changes and hopefully will contribute to a better understanding of muscle, bone, carbohydrate and fat metabolism. This study will hopefully form the scientific basis for future trials of androgen replacement in the elderly.
Background: There is tremendous controversy regarding the adequacy/effectiveness of the nutritional care provided in VA Transitional Care Units (TCUs). The interrelationship between concurrent inflammatory disease, the adequacy of a resident's nutrient consumption, the development or resolution of putative nutritional deficits, and clinical outcomes is not established. Given the known obstacles to increasing nutrient intake (e.g. cost, resident acceptance, associated morbidity) and the lack of proven effectiveness of all forms of nutrition support and nutritional supplementation to improve clinical outcomes, a better understanding of these interrelationships is needed and will be the focus of this study. Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to determine how best to define nutritional risk (i.e., risk for adverse clinical outcomes due to inadequate nutrient intake) among older VA TCU residents. As part of this objective, we will seek to develop a better understanding of the interrelationship between nutrient intake, weight change, serum concentration of albumins, health status/illness severity, and mortality. The secondary objective is to develop a prediction model for identifying which TCU residents are likely to have ongoing problems with low nutrient intake. The ultimate objective is to develop a clinically useful system to identify residents who are likely to benefit from specific interventions aimed at improving nutritional risk.
This study will examine the role of epigenetics (heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in DNA sequence) in the aging process. DNA is the primary genetic material, responsible for transmitting information from one cell to the next or from one generation to the next. A second layer of heredity is described by the term "epigenetics." Epigenetic information is reset from one generation to the next. It works in two ways: 1) by modification of the DNA, like balloons stuck at irregular intervals onto the sides of the DNA helix that encodes genes, and 2) through specialized protein shells that wrap around some regions of DNA. As in DNA, these shells can copy themselves and can transmit instructions. Because they are used to turn genes on and off, errors in their settings cause critical misinformation to be transmitted. Aging involves many changes, such as muscle weakening, graying hair, skin wrinkling, and so forth. There are several current theories of aging, including damage to genes by oxidation, shortening of tiny structures at the ends of chromosomes called telomeres, and the ability to stretch lifespan with caloric restrictions. This study will investigate the possible role of epigenetics in aging by examining and comparing the shell-like epigenetic settings in skin cells in young adults and older individuals. Preliminary results from earlier studies show differences in these settings in younger and older people. Women between the ages of 21 and 30 years and 65 and 90 years who are undergoing breast reduction or mastectomy at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, may participate in this study. Tissue removed during surgery for pathological examination will also be used by researchers in this study to validate the preliminary findings noted above and to continue studies into the new area of epigenetics and aging. ...
The purpose of this study is to determine whether gender and age modify cerebral activations during a silent word generation functional Magnetic Resonance task.