Long-term study on the aging process

The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)

This study looks at how people age and what helps some stay healthy as they get older, and it's for healthy volunteers aged 20 and up.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 10000 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 120 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) (NIH)
• Locations: 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland)
• Trial ID: NCT00233272 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) is a comprehensive observational program that has been ongoing since 1958, focusing on the multifaceted aspects of human aging. Healthy volunteers aged 20 and older participate in extensive evaluations over their lifetime, including physical tests, cognitive assessments, and collection of biological samples. The study aims to understand how individuals adapt to aging and to identify factors associated with exceptionally healthy aging. Participants undergo regular follow-up visits that last multiple days, allowing for a rich collection of longitudinal data.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy individuals aged 20 years and older who can perform daily self-care and walk independently.

Not a fit: Patients with established genetic diseases or those who require assistance with daily activities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into healthy aging and inform strategies to enhance quality of life for older adults.

How similar studies have performed: The BLSA is a well-established program that has significantly contributed to our understanding of aging, indicating that similar longitudinal studies have shown success in this field.

Eligibility criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

These criteria pertain to the Screening Visit and Visit 1. If any of these conditions develop after this time, the participant remains in the study. In particular, participants who develop cognitive, motor or psychiatric conditions are retained in the study, although they are excluded from specific testing in which their underlying health condition is an exclusion criteria. Participants that refuse genetic testing and storage at Visit 1 will not be eligible to participate in the study.

* Age greater than or equal to 20 years of age
* Weigh less than or equal to 300lbs and/or body mass index (BMI) is less than or equal to 40
* Do not have established genetic diseases
* Are able to perform daily self- care without assistance
* Are able to walk independently for at least 400 meters without assistance and without developing symptoms
* Are able to perform normal activities of daily living without shortness of breath (walking or climbing stairs)
* Do not have cognitive impairment based on screening tests and in the absence of any drug treatment
* Do not have a history of cardiovascular disease (including angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases, uncontrolled hypertension)
* Do not have a history of diabetes (requiring any medical treatment other than diet and exercise)
* Do not have active (any activity in the last 10 years) cancer, except for locally limited basal or squamous cell cancer
* Do not have clinically significant hormonal dysfunction (Laboratory values out of range despite supplementation and/or drug treatment)
* Do not have a history of neurological diseases or birth defects (other than minor anatomical abnormalities, which do not affect physical and/or cognitive function)
* Do not have a history of kidney or liver disease (associated with reduced kidney or liver function)
* Do not have a history of severe gastrointestinal (G.I.) diseases
* Do not have muscle-skeletal conditions due to diseases or traumas (that cause pathological weakness and/or chronic pain)
* Do not have a history of severe psychiatric conditions (associated with behavioral problems or requiring chronic medical treatment)
* Do not have any medical condition that requires absolute and continuous need for long term treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressors, H2 blockers and/or proton pump inhibitors, or pain medications
* Do not have important sensory deficits (legally blind and/or any condition that precludes the participant from being tested with standard neuropsychological tests or providing informed consent)
* Able to read and speak English
* Do not have joint replacements due to arthritic changes (joint replacements due to previous trauma are ok) or do not have 2 or more joint replacements for any reason
* Do not meet any exclusionary criteria for 3T MRI and agrees to perform the test
* Agree to genetic (DNA/RNA) sample collection, analysis, and storage at Visit 1

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

These criteria pertain to the Screening Visit and Visit 1. If conditions considered as exclusion criteria for study entry develop any time after the this, the participant remains in the study.

Exclusion Criteria Based on Laboratory Assessment:

* HIV virus infection
* Hepatitis B or C
* Syphilis
* WBC \> 12,000/mcrL
* Platelets \< 100,000 or \>600,000 /mcrL
* Hemoglobin \< 11 g/dL
* Creatinine \>1.5 mg/dl or calculated creatinine clearance \< 50 cc/min
* Bilirubin \> 1.5 mg/dl (unless higher levels can be ascribed to Gilbert s disease)
* ALT, AST or alkaline phosphatase twice the normal serum concentration
* Corrected calcium \< 8.5 or \> 10.7 mg/dl
* Albumin \< 3.1 g/dl

Where this trial is running

Baltimore, Maryland

• National Institute of Aging, Clinical Research Unit — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Luigi Ferrucci, M.D. — National Institute on Aging (NIA)
• Study coordinator: Jeannie M Ruffolo, R.N.

Conditions Aging; Frailty; Disease Processes; Natural History