View clinical trials related to Aging.
Filter by:The investigators are examining the effects of exercise and cardiovascular fitness on cognitive processes, brain function, and the amount of several proteins in the blood. These proteins include a hormone called cortisol, also known as the "stress hormone," and a growth factor called "brain-derived neurotrophic factor" (BDNF). The "stress hormone" cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands. Stress, exercise, obesity, and other factors may influence cortisol levels. BDNF is a protein that promotes the health of nerve cells in the brain and in the body. It plays a role in the growth, maturation, and maintenance of these cells. The amount of this protein in blood samples is therefore an indicator of healthy nerve cell function. Here, the investigators are investigating if exercise improves brain function by changing BDNF levels. Participation in this research study will take approximately 4 months. During this time, participants will make four initial study visits. The first visit is for informed consent and screening, the second and third visits are for baseline fitness testing, and the fourth visit is for a blood draw, cognitive testing, and a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) exam. Functional MRI is a brain imaging technique that uses a magnetic field to "take pictures" of the brain while a person performs a given task. It will take up to approximately three weeks to complete these initial four study visits. Following the four initial study visits, the exercise-training program will begin. Participants will be randomized to one of two training programs: an aerobic exercise program and a non-aerobic exercise program consisting of strengthening, balance and stretching exercises. The exercise training program will last 12 weeks. There will be three one-hour exercise sessions per week. After completion of the exercise-training program, participants will attend three follow-up study visits. The first two follow-up visits are for fitness testing. The third and final follow-up visit is for a blood draw, cognitive testing, and an MRI exam.
- Aging is associated with a progressive and generalized deterioration of physiologic systems and greater incidence of chronic conditions, which ultimately translates into functional impairment, disability and dependency. - Physical activity and exercise have been recognized as key pillars for the management of chronic diseases in support of medical treatment, and essential to increase physiologic function, but there is only limited evidence indicating increased physical function, following exercise interventions. One of the greatest challenges in the science of aging and exercise is to understand whether and to which extent exercise and active life-style may postpone the onset of disability and/or reverse physical impairments. - Maintenance/improvements of physical function and mobility should be considered as primary targets for independent living, active engagement in societal challenges, and, more in general, when promoting "active ageing". - The aim of this study is to collect preliminary data to identify the feasibility and sustainability of an "active life-style intervention" in older adults with reduced mobility receiving a preventive home visit from the public health care authority. - This study will represent the base for a larger phase III parallel group study implemented in the public health care setting, with the specific aim of improving physical function and delay the onset of functional impairment in older adults.
The purpose of this research study is to explore the effects of fermented papaya preparation (FPP) on whole body inflammation, physical function, fatigue, and health-related quality of life. The investigators will conduct a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study on FPP in older adults. If FPP is found to have a beneficial impact on systematic inflammation in this study population (adults aged 70-100 years old), then this supplement may be a potential treatment option to combat aging.
This study is being conducted to assess the effect of dietary strawberry supplementation on cognition and mobility in older adults. It is hypothesized that plant compounds, present in strawberries, may improve cognition and mobility by protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation.
As women get older and go through menopause, levels of the female reproductive hormone estradiol decrease to low levels. Also with aging, the functioning of the arteries declines. Over time this vascular dysfunction can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. This study is being done to help determine what causes arteries to become unhealthy in postmenopausal women, who have low levels of the female reproductive hormone estradiol. In this study we will test whether low levels of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a natural substance in the body that can cause the arteries to expand, explains why arteries become unhealthy in women with low levels of estradiol. To answer this question, we will study how vascular function changes with a medication that causes a short-term increase in BH4 levels when estradiol is lowered with a medication, compared to when estradiol is normal. We will also determine whether the administration of the antioxidant vitamin C, along with the medication to increase BH4 levels, will normalize vascular health in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, and in women who have their estradiol levels lowered.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether vigorous exercise training 4-5 days/week for 2 years in sedentary middle aged men and women (ages 45-64) will improve cardiac and vascular compliance to a degree equivalent to life-long exercisers and the sedentary young. Sedentary aging is associated with impaired diastolic function, which can lead to heart failure. However, if exercise training can be implemented early enough in life while cardiovascular plasticity still exists, then functional capacity can be maintained, preventing heart failure.
The study ""Nutritional trial with fortified milk in 65+ years old subjects" is a part of a complex research project and multi-sectoral development (MIAO 50) with the participation of University Research Institutes and small and medium Italian enterprises. The general objective of the call is to promote the collaboration between the best scientific knowledge, both epidemiological and experimental, and the most advanced technologies to develop foods with a nutritional profile adequate to the needs of consumers with an age over 50 years old, which are easy to use and make it possible to eat in a healthy manner, complete and balanced and also meets the quality and flavors of traditional Italian.
The ageing of the population will inevitably lead to a growing number of older people living alone and in need of care. Given the high cost of geriatric care, a critical research issue is exploring ways to improve or maintain cognitive and functional status in old age. Unfortunately, it has been shown that training those specific cognitive processes most sensitive to ageing (such as speed of processing or working memory), produces only limited beneficial effects. However, research also suggests that factors such as cognitive engagement, physical activity and social context may act as more general modulators of cognitive decline. This project is a longitudinal study with experimental and control groups. It is inspired from the engagement model of cognitive optimization suggesting that a lifestyle marked by social and intellectual engagement may mitigate age-related declines on cognitive functioning. It uses new cutting-edge information computing technology (ICT) solutions to improve or simply maintain cognitive functions in the elderly. This research investigates how the treatment reduces the effects of cognitive age-related decline in executive control processes and episodic (explicit) memory using behavioral and imaging measures. The results will provide significant knowledge on the potential of new ICT technologies to delay, compensate, and even prevent common chronic problems experienced by the elderly population. The hypothesis is that cognitive training with video-games through ICT solutions will promote brain and mental health and independence. Ultimately, the objective is to contribute to the understanding of factors that help avoiding the (personal and economic) consequences of long-term care in geriatric institutions.
Increasing physical activity in older adults has important implications for treating obesity related metabolic conditions, however the interaction of aging- and obesity-related declines in physical function may make adding structured exercise particularly challenging for this group. Given these challenges, an alternative prescription to traditional structured exercise, may be short bouts of intermittent walking scattered throughout the day - this may be an effective strategy to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary behavior, and improve glycemic control in overweight/obese older adults. The purpose of this project is to determine how interrupting sedentary time with short bouts of moderate intensity walking affects important metabolic outcomes in older, overweight adults. It would also be of interest to compare the effects of short, frequent interruptions in sedentary behavior to a traditional exercise prescription (continuous 30 min walking bout) on metabolic outcomes (e.g., glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and 24 h fat oxidation). Thus, the overall aims of the proposed research are to 1) Determine the effect of performing short bouts of moderate-intensity intermittent walking (IW) on glucose and insulin metabolism compared to uninterrupted sitting (US) in older overweight and obese adults. 2) To compare the effects of interrupting sedentary time (IW) vs. a traditional exercise prescription (continuous 30 m walk (CW)) on metabolism. The investigators hypothesize that interrupting sedentary time with intermittent walking will improve glucose and insulin metabolism compared to uninterrupted sitting and it will be as effective at improving metabolism as a single continuous 30 min walk.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether an aerobic training intervention will alter markers of immune cell aging, improve exercise capacity and blood pressure and decrease psychological distress over 24 weeks in 32 caregivers compared to 32 age-matched wait list control caregivers.