MetAGE: deep phenotyping of how metabolism affects aging and disease
Metabolic Control of Aging and Disease - the MetAGE Deep Phenotyping Cohort (Pro-Metage)
This project will test blood-based aging biomarkers in adults of different ages and weights to see if metabolic differences relate to aging and cardiometabolic disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 650 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of Vienna Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Vienna, State of Vienna and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06511297 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective observational cohort that will perform comprehensive metabolic phenotyping and blood biomarker analysis in defined groups of young and older adults who are lean, overweight, or very old (≥90). Researchers will collect detailed metabolic, molecular, and epigenetic data to compare markers such as epigenetic clocks and other blood-based aging signatures across cardiometabolic phenotypes. The cohort includes subgroups with and without pre-existing cardiovascular disease to explore how metabolic control intersects with clinical disease. Findings are intended to build a foundation for targeted drug and lifestyle interventions in future trials.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults who meet the protocol groups—age 18–35 or ≥60 (including a ≥90 group) with specified BMI ranges for lean or overweight categories, and selected older adults with or without cardiovascular disease—who can attend study visits in Austria.
Not a fit: People outside the defined age/BMI groups, those unable to travel to the study sites, or those expecting immediate therapeutic benefit are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify blood tests that flag higher risk of age-related cardiometabolic disease and help target personalized drug or lifestyle interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research on epigenetic clocks and metabolic markers has shown correlations with biological age and cardiometabolic risk, but applying broad deep metabolic phenotyping across these specific age and weight groups is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Group 1 - Lean, young adults (n = 150) * Age 18 - 35 years * Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 18.5 and ≤ 24.9 kg/m2 (≥ 12 months) Group 2 - Overweight, young adults (n = 150) * Age 18 - 35 years * BMI ≥ 28kg/m2 (≥ 12 months) Group 3 - Lean, older adults (n = 150) * Age ≥ 60 years * BMI ≥ 18.5 and ≤ 24.9 kg/m2 (≥ 3 years) Group 4 - Overweight, older adults (n = 150) * Age ≥ 60 years * BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 (≥ 3 years) * Subgroup A (n=75): with pre-existent cardiovascular disease defined as: history of myocardial infarction or evidence of coronary artery disease irrespective of revascularization status or history of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or presence of peripheral artery disease or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (NYHA Class I-II). * Subgroup B (n=75): without pre-existent cardiovascular disease Group 5 - Nonagenerians Age ≥ 90 (n = 50) * Age ≥ 90 years * BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 (≥ 3 years) Exclusion Criteria: Group 1 - Lean, young adults (n = 150) * Highly physical active (i.e. \> 5 times sporting activity / week with moderate to high intensity \[heart rate 140 - 200bpm\]) * Special diets (i.e. ketogenic diet and time-restricted eating) * Clinically significant metabolic or endocrine disorders * Claustrophobia * drug abuse, alcohol \> 15 drinks/week * Heart failure, cardiovascular disease, immunosuppressive therapies, chronic inflammatory diseases and active oncologic conditions * Metal implants that prohibit 3T MRI * Pregnancy or breastfeeding Group 2 - Overweight, young adults (n = 150) * Highly physical active (i.e. \> 5 times sporting activity / week with moderate to high intensity \[heart rate 140 - 200bpm\]) * Special diets (i.e. ketogenic diet and time-restricted eating) * Active anti-obesity treatment (e.g. glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues, polyagonists, naltrexone and bupropion) * Clinically significant metabolic or endocrine disorders * Claustrophobia * drug abuse, alcohol \> 15 drinks/week * Heart failure, cardiovascular disease, immunosuppressive therapies, chronic inflammatory diseases and active oncologic conditions * Metal implants that prohibit 3T MRI * Pregnancy or breastfeeding Group 3 - Lean, older adults (n = 150) * Highly physical active (i.e. \> 5 times sporting activity / week with moderate to high intensity \[heart rate 140 - 200bpm\]) * Special diets (i.e. ketogenic diet and time-restricted eating) * Diabetes, overt hypo/hyperthyroidism * Claustrophobia * drug abuse, alcohol \> 15 drinks/week * Metal implants that prohibit 3T MRI * Known severe cardiovascular diseases (i.e. PAD IIa or higher, advanced heart failure = left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 35% or NYHA Class III-IV) * No previous heart failure, cardiovascular disease, immunosuppressive therapies, chronic inflammatory diseases and active oncologic conditions up until the age of 35 years. * Life-threatening conditions with a life expectancy of less than 1 year or any other condition that would jeopardize proband safety/adherence while participating in this trial. Group 4 - Overweight, older adults (n = 150) * Special diets (i.e. ketogenic diet and time-restricted eating) * Diabetes, overt hypo/hyperthyroidism * Active anti-obesity treatment (e.g. GLP-1 analogues, polyagonists, naltrexone and bupropion) * Claustrophobia * drug abuse, alcohol \> 15 drinks/week * Metal implants that prohibit 3T MRI * No previous heart failure, cardiovascular disease, immunosuppressive therapies, chronic inflammatory diseases and active oncologic conditions up until the age of 35 years. * Life-threatening conditions with a life expectancy of less than 1 year or any other condition that would jeopardize proband safety/adherence while participating in this trial. Group 5 - "healthy" Nonagenerians Age ≥ 90 (n = 50) * Claustrophobia * Clinically significant cognitive impairment compromising study adherence * Metal implants that prohibit 3T MRI * Life-threatening conditions with a life expectancy of less than 1 year or any other condition that would jeopardize proband safety/adherence while participating in this trial.
Where this trial is running
Vienna, State of Vienna and 1 other locations
- Medical University of Vienna — Vienna, State of Vienna, Austria (Recruiting)
- Medical University of Graz — Graz, Styria, Austria (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.