Metabolic and functional changes in aging.
Official title: Metabolic and Functional Consequences of Aging in Health and Disease
Run by Texas A&M University · NCT05240885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will see if differences in whole-body metabolism explain declines in strength, thinking, and well-being in older adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Texas A&M University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (College Station, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 4, 2022 |
| Main results expected | September 2028 |
| Study ends | September 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05240885 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are weight-stable older adults in generally satisfactory health who can walk with or without aids, lie supine for several hours, and are willing to undergo tracer infusion and testing.
✕Probably not a fit
People with insulin-dependent diabetes, active cancer, recent fever or unstable metabolic conditions are unlikely to benefit from the protocol and may be excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The team uses a pulse method combining multiple stable isotope tracers to measure several whole-body metabolic pathways simultaneously in older adults. Participants receive a stable tracer infusion in a postabsorptive (fasting) state while lying supine or elevated for up to three hours to quantify protein synthesis, breakdown, and amino acid metabolism. Metabolic profiles will be linked to measures of physical function, cognitive performance, and self-reported well-being to identify patterns associated with healthier or impaired aging. People with unstable metabolic disease or active malignancy are excluded so the data reflect aging-related changes rather than acute illness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify metabolic fingerprints that point to new ways to preserve strength, thinking, or quality of life with age.
How similar studies have gone: Related stable-isotope tracer studies have clarified age-related metabolic shifts, but using multiple simultaneous tracers in a large older cohort is a relatively novel approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Stable body-weight (± 5%) for the past 3 months * Subject is judged to be in satisfactory health based on medical history, physical examination, and laboratory screening evaluations. * Ability to walk, sit down and stand up independently or with walking mobility aids * Ability to lie in a supine or elevated position for up to 3 hours * Discharged within 30 days after a hospital admittance for \>48-hours (recently hospitalized group only) * Diagnosis of heart failure (stages 2-4 heart failure based on the New York Heart Association Functional Class; heart failure group only) * Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol Exclusion Criteria: * Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus * Established diagnosis of malignancy * History of untreated metabolic diseases including hepatic or renal disorder * Presence of acute illness or metabolically unstable chronic illness * Presence of fever within the last 3 days * Use of short course of oral corticosteroids within 4 weeks preceding study day * Failure to give informed consent or Investigator's uncertainty about the willingness or ability of the subject to comply with the protocol requirements * (Possible) pregnancy * Already enrolled in another clinical trial and that clinical trial interferes with participating in this study
Where it's running
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Human Clinical Research Building
College Station, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Laura Ruebush, PhD
- Email: le.ruebush@ctral.org
- Phone: 979-422-1789
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.