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266 active trials for Aging

Robustness Predictive Factors in People Aged Over 75 Years After Going to the Emergency Room (ROB-U)

After emergency room visits, the elderly patients can increase their dependence and functional decline. In this context the goal of this study is to demonstrate that there are robustness predictive factors after visit to the emergency room.

Start: March 2021

Characterization of Myocardial Blood Flow During Heat Exposure

The purpose of this study is to determine the increase in myocardial blood flow during heat exposure and how this response is affected by age and coronary artery disease.

Start: August 2020

Evaluation of the Impact of Non-slip Socks on Motor Recovery in the Elderly

Some authors suggest a possible clinical interest of anti-slip socks. The scientific literature presents studies with methodological limitations. It is therefore not currently possible to judge the specific interest of anti-slip socks in an elderly hospitalized population. The investigatorswould therefore like to know the interest of wearing non-slip socks in the management of these patients, and more particularly on the main objective of rehabilitation in geriatric physiotherapy: motor function.

Start: September 2021

An Evaluation of Folic Acid to Improve Endothelial Sensitivity to Shear Stress in Seniors

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if folic acid improves endothelial sensitivity to shear stress in post-menopausal women.

Start: May 2019

The Long-term Consequences After Traumatic Brain Injury in the Elderly

A better understanding of the injury patterns, injury severity, risk profiles, consequences and impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the elderly population is necessary due to the increasing incidence and prevalence of TBI in this population and its high economic impact on society. Therefore, this study aims at describing the long-term consequences of TBI. In order to achieve that goal, injury patterns, injury severity and risk profiles for TBI in the elderly will be mapped. Moreover, a retrospective assessment of brain damage, co-morbidities and post-traumatic history, and a prospective assessment of cognitive functions and quality of life in a 20 years range after TBI will be performed. Finally, a statistical correlation of TBI and different types of neurodegenerative diseases, and an economic costs analysis will be done. All the obtained results will be used to develop a new prognostic tool for the course of the outcomes of TBI in the elderly population.

Start: August 2019

Influence of Brain Oscillation-Dependent TMS on Motor Function

Background: When people have a stroke, they often have difficulty moving their arms and hands. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve how well people with and without stroke can move their arms and hands. But the effects of TMS are minor, and it doesn t work for everyone. Researchers want to study how to time brain stimulation so that the effects are more consistent. Objective: To understand how the brain responds to transcranial magnetic stimulation so that treatments for people with stroke can be improved. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older who had a stroke at least 6 months ago Healthy volunteers ages 50 and older Design: Participants will have up to 5 visits. At visit 1, participants will be screened with medical history and physical exam. Participants with stroke will also have TMS and surface electromyography (sEMG). For TMS, a brief electrical current will pass through a wire coil on the scalp. Participants may hear a click and feel a pull. Muscles may twitch. Participants may be asked to do simple movements during TMS. For sEMG, small electrodes will be attached to the skin and muscle activity will be recorded. At visit 2, participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They will lie on a table that slides into a metal cylinder in a strong magnetic field. They will get earplugs for the loud noise. At visit 3, participants will have TMS, sEMG, and electroencephalography (EEG). For EEG, small electrodes on the scalp will record brainwaves. Participants will sit still, watch a movie, or do TMS. Participants may be asked to have 2 extra visits to redo procedures.

Start: September 2018

Effects of Aronia Berries on Vascular Endothelial Function and the Gut Microbiota in Middle-Aged/Older Adults

Aging is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) largely due to vascular endothelial dysfunction, a major initial step in the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent dilation and is primarily caused by reduced nitric oxide bioavailability secondary to oxidative stress and inflammation. Interventions that improve endothelial dysfunction are important for improving endothelial function and reducing CVD risk in this high-risk population. Aronia melanocarpa, commonly known as aronia berries or chokeberries, are rich in polyphenols such as anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acids. These compounds, and derivatives resulting from gut microbial and phase II metabolism, have been shown to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation, and to improve endothelial function. Aronia berries and other berries have been shown in numerous studies to have diverse cardiometabolic health effects including modulation of endothelial function, arterial stiffness, blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In addition, berries, dietary fiber, polyphenols have been shown to exert positive effects on the gut microbiota, which may mediate improvements in cardiovascular health. Recently, we have demonstrated that modulation of the gut microbiota is associated with improvements in vascular dysfunction. The primary goal of the currently proposed research is to assess the efficacy and dose-dependent response of an aronia full spectrum dietary supplement to improve endothelial function in middle-aged/older men and postmenopausal women. A secondary goal is to determine whether aronia full spectrum modulation of the gut microbiota is associated with improvements in endothelial function. Other functional and biochemical measures of cardiovascular health, oxidative stress, inflammation, and polyphenol metabolism will be assessed.

Start: February 2019

Nicotinamide Riboside for Treating Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Middle-aged and Older Adults

Aging is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the number one cause of death in developed societies. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase with age and is a key intermediary factor linking aging to increased CVD risk. The primary mechanisms underlying the age-associated increase in SBP is stiffening of the large elastic arteries, which is mediated by increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular smooth muscle tone. Regular caloric restriction is effective at lowering SBP in middle-aged and older adults; however, adherence to caloric restriction is poor and may be detrimental to normal weight older adults due to reduced skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral density. Therefore, identification of more practical alternative interventions that mimic the beneficial effects of caloric restriction, with stronger adherence and less risk of adverse consequences, is of significant biomedical importance. Nicotinamide riboside is a naturally occurring precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a critical mediator of the beneficial effects of caloric restriction, and therefore a novel caloric restriction mimetic compound. We recently completed the first pilot study of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in healthy middle-aged and older adults and demonstrated that 6 weeks of supplementation decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 8 mmHg in individuals with baseline SBP of 120-139 mmHg (elevated SBP/stage 1 hypertension) compared with placebo, and lowered arterial stiffness, a strong independent predictor of CVD and related morbidity and mortality. As a next translational step, we will conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial to further assess the safety and efficacy of oral nicotinamide riboside (3 months vs placebo) for decreasing SBP and arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older men and women with SBP between 120 and 139 mmHg at baseline.

Start: May 2019

Yoga, Aerobic and Stretching Exercise Effects on Neurocognition

The investigators propose to conduct a 6-month 3-arm randomized controlled exercise trial among older adults to compare the efficacy of yoga with aerobic exercise and stretching-toning exercises on cognitive function, brain structure and function, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional fitness, and inflammatory and molecular markers. Using a single-blind, three arm randomized control trial, 168 older adults ages 55-79 will be assigned to either: a Hatha yoga group, an aerobic exercise group or an active stretching and toning control group. The groups will engage in hour-long group exercise sessions 3x/week. A comprehensive neurocognitive test battery, brain imaging, cardiovascular fitness test, and a blood draw will take place at baseline; end of the 6-month intervention, and at 12-month follow-up. The proposed work will examine the relationship between yoga training and improved cognitive functioning as well as identify neurobiological correlates as potential mechanisms of action through which yoga training exerts its effect on cognitive function. COVID-19 Precautions: Due to COVID-19, all exercise sessions will be conducted live via Zoom video-conferencing such that 1/3rd of the participants in each group will exercise in person with the research staff at UIUC campus once a week while the remaining 2/3rd will tune in via Zoom

Start: January 2021

CONTROL Walking Study

Older adults often experience substantial deficits in walking ability, especially for walking tasks that are more complex such as obstacle crossing. This is due in part to changes in the brain that make performance of physical and cognitive tasks more difficult. Rehabilitation can help to improve walking ability, but effective rehabilitation is time consuming and expensive. New approaches are needed to improve the efficiency of rehabilitation so that gains in walking ability are widely attainable. A promising strategy is to focus on enhancing motor learning, which is defined as improved ability to perform a motor task due to practice or experience. The investigators will investigate the use of non-invasive brain stimulation to increase motor learning and retention of the newly learned walking skills. The investigators will also use neuroimaging to assess brain characteristics that explain how motor learning works. The knowledge gained from this study is expected to contribute to better understanding of mechanistic targets and intervention approaches to improve rehabilitation of walking.

Start: August 2019

Effects of Parmigiano Reggiano on Muscle and Inflammatory Response to Eccentric Resistance Training in Older Adults

Aging is associated with the loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) and reduced tissue regenerative capacity. Eccentric exercise (ECC) is a model of RET that can be used with the elderly, due to the ability of the muscle to combine high muscle strength production with low energy cost. ECC contractions are significantly more damaging to the muscles and produce greater muscle strength, for these reasons there is a greater risk of inducing muscle damage before the muscle is able to adapt. Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) has some peculiar bromatological characteristics. The proteins contained in it, and in particular the potentially bioactive peptide sequences, can rapidly provide the amino acids necessary to promote muscle growth and repair during exercise. Furthermore, PR can be an important source of fatty acids, of which a significant amount of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) which are known to have important clinical effects on body composition and metabolic health and can have a systemic anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, the central hypothesize is that PR consumed while being engaged in a RET can provide more energy substrates and improve muscle recovery, redcue inflammatory markers and improve lipid metabolism. To date, no studies have studied its function on recovery from exercise nor in the elderly.

Start: May 2021

Topical-RAPA Use in Inflammation Reversal and Re-setting the Epigenetic Clock

Topical Rapamycin ointment will be applied to participant forearms to test whether epigenetic changes in the skin are elicited.

Start: April 2021

The Impact of Multi-Touch Functional Digital Game on Intelligence and Vitality for the Community-dwelling Elderly

This single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial includes 32 elderly. The participants were randomized to intervention(Happy Table) and control(cognitive stimulation activity) groups. Each group is divided in 16 participants. In one session, participants in the Happy Table group completed 40 minutes of intervention using Happy Table serious game, whereas those in the Control group completed 40 minutes of cognitive stimulation game.

Start: July 2021

Cholinergic Health After Menopause (CHAMP)

Women are at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Notably at menopause, some women experience a change in cognition. However, not all women experience negative effects of menopause on cognition. The cognitive changes that occur at menopause have not yet been connected to late life risk for pathological aging including AD. Thus, understanding the neurobiological factors related to individual differences in cognition at menopause is critical for understanding normal cognitive aging and for determining risk for pathological aging. The challenge in understanding the role of estrogen loss on the risk for AD is the long lag time between the hormonal changes at menopause and the clinical manifestations of AD. Thus, identifying how the hormone changes after menopause are related to AD risk will alter the risk calculus for postmenopausal women in the future. The novel study proposed here will examine an established AD-related neurotransmitter-based mechanism that may also underlie cognitive changes after menopause. The investigators propose that the change in the hormonal milieu at menopause interacts with the cholinergic system and other brain pathologies to influence a woman's risk for cognitive decline. Preclinical studies have shown that estrogen is necessary for normal cholinergic functioning and its withdrawal leads to cholinergic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. It is important to determine whether menopause-related cognitive changes correlate with both cholinergic functional integrity and established AD biomarkers that portend increased risk for late-life cognitive impairment or dementia. This study will examine brain functioning following cholinergic blockade to separate individuals into those who are able to compensate for the hormone change after menopause and those who are not. The investigators hypothesize women with poor compensation have increased sensitivity to cholinergic blockade by showing poor performance on a cognitive task, altered brain activation, and decreased basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFCS) volume. These cholinergic markers will be related to menopausal factors associated with poor cognition and biomarkers of AD. Specific Aim 1 is to examine cholinergic functional "integrity" by measuring working memory performance, functional brain activation, and BFCS structure in postmenopausal women. Specific Aim 2 will examine whether individual differences in menopause-relevant symptoms and known AD biomarkers are related to cognition and brain activation after anticholinergic challenge. The public health significance of this study is that it will identify individual difference factors that are associated with cognitive performance changes after menopause and their relationship to structural, functional, and biomarker evidence of risk for later life cognitive dysfunction. Knowledge of these factors will serve to advance personalized future risk-mitigation strategies for women including hormonal, medication, cognitive remediation, etc. that will be the subject of further research.

Start: March 2020

A Trial of Habit Formation Theory for Exercise in Older Adults

This personalized trial will evaluate the effects of five behavioral change techniques (BCTs) described in Habit Formation Theory (Goal setting, Action Planning, Self-Monitoring, Behavioral Practice/Rehearsal and Habit Formation) delivered by text message to enhance low-intensity walking by 2,000 more steps per day/5 days per week in healthy Northwell employees aged 45-75 years old.

Start: March 2021

Role of Sleep on Motor Learning in Parkinson's Disease and Healthy Older Adults

People with Parkinson's disease (pwPD) often present difficulty consolidating newly learned skills into long-term memory. Sleep facilitates motor memory consolidation in healthy adults, especially in combination with targeted memory reactivation (TMR). TMR works by adding associated sounds during learning that are replayed during sleep and thus reinforce the recently formed neural connections. Importantly, recent work suggested that consolidation during sleep may be preserved in pwPD, but robust findings are lacking and have not involved TMR. The objective of the present study is to address this imperative question by investigating the effect of napping on motor memory consolidation by experimentally manipulating exposure to sleep and TMR for the first time. Concretely, the investigators will first compare the effect of a 2-hour nap to that of a wake control period in pwPD and healthy age-matched controls. A validated motor sequence learning task will be used to test for behavioral markers of motor learning and polysomnography with electroencephalography (EEG) will be conducted to study the neural correlates of sleep-related motor learning effects. In a second experiment, the investigators will then test the effects of adding TMR during post-learning sleep, by comparing performance on two motor sequences of which only one is reactivated during post-learning napping using auditory TMR.

Start: November 2019

What Works to Get the Elderly Vaccinated Against COVID-19? Experimental Evidence From India

COVID-19 poses a substantial risk to elderly populations; understanding how to get elders vaccinated against the virus is therefore a policy priority. An experiment with elders in Tamil Nadu, India will be used to evaluate interventions policymakers might use to raise vaccination rates amongst the elderly. The particular interventions being tested are: calling elders to inform them about vaccination; encouragement of a "buddy system," whereby elders are accompanied to the vaccination site by another adult who could also get the vaccine; and seeding vaccination information with "gossips," individuals who elders identify as being good at spreading information in the elders' communities. The interventions are phone-based, and can be implemented quickly and at low cost. This makes them promising strategies the Tamil Nadu government and other governments could use to vaccinate elderly populations against COVID-19.

Start: April 2021

Effect of mTOR Inhibition & Other Metabolism Modulating Interventions on the Elderly [SubStudy Rapa & cMRI to Evaluate Cardiac Function]

The ability to mount an effective immune response declines with age, leaving the elderly increasingly susceptible to infectious diseases and cancer. Rapamycin, an FDA approved drug to prevent transplant rejection, increases the lifespan and healthspan of mice and ameliorates age-related declines in immune responsiveness, cancer survival, and cognition in laboratory animals. Investigators are conducting a translational trial to test whether rapamycin also improves life functions in humans focusing on elderly persons (aged 70-95). Substudy E will evaluate the Rapamycin and Cardiac Function.

Start: July 2021

Impact of T Cells on Age-related Vascular Dysfunction: A Translational Approach

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and other industrialized societies, and advanced age is the major risk factor for development of CVD. Advancing age appears to exert its pathological influence primarily via adverse functional and structural effects on arteries. Aging is associated with increased stiffness (reduced compliance) of large elastic arteries and impaired arterial endothelial function that is characterized by reductions in nitric oxide (NO)- mediated endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD). While several changes to arteries may contribute to age-associated increases in CVD risk; the development of endothelial dysfunction and stiffening of the large elastic arteries are among the most important contributors. Both are predictors of CV events and clinical CVD with increasing age. Although the importance of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffening with age are well established, the initiating events of these deleterious changes are elusive.

Start: October 2021

Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation on Cerebrovascular Aging and Arterial Stiffness Study

This study investigates the effect of dietary inorganic nitrate supplementation on 1) large elastic artery stiffness and hemodynamics and 2) cerebrovascular function in middle-aged and older adults. Participants will be randomized to consume either nitrate-containing or nitrate-depleted beetroot juice.

Start: November 2018