36 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The primary objectives are to develop and validate a classifier using multimodal passive sensor data and metrics derived from normal iPhone and Apple Watch usage to distinguish individuals with normal cognition from those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to develop and validate a cognitive wellness score that tracks fluctuations in cognitive performance over time using multimodal passive sensor data and metrics derived from normal iPhone and Apple Watch usage.
Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common concern for aging patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery and significantly effects health outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors associated with post-operative cognitive dysfunction in aging patients without prior history for mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
The purpose of this study is to determine the sleep patterns of subjects with or without sleep disturbances (insomnia, sleep apnea) and compare these findings with their previous FDG/PIB PET, structural MRI and brain blood flow scams performed during their participation in the Following studies 'Alzheimer's Disease Core Center (ADCC) Clinical Evaluation' (IRB: 2942), MRI Progression Markers of Cognitive Decline in the Elderly' (IRB:09-0586), or 'Imaging Neuro inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease with \[11C\] Arachidonic Acid (AA) and PET'(IRB: 10-00442).
This study is being done to learn about tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease. A type of positron emission tomography (PET) scan is used to measure the abnormal accumulation of protein called tau in the brain. These are thought to be involved in Alzheimer's disease. The investigators will also perform brain MRI and to tests to measure the participant's memory and thinking.
This study is being done to learn about tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease. A type of PET scan is used to measure the abnormal accumulation of protein called tau in the brain. These are thought to be involved in Alzheimer's disease. The investigators will also perform brain MRI and to tests to measure the participant's memory and thinking.
The purpose of this study is to develop imaging techniques that can distinguish functional brain changes in people at high risk for dementia years prior to onset of clinical memory problems from those with normal changes of aging.
The goal of this project is to develop an early diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease (AD) by monitoring loss of neurons and brain size reductions over a period of five years.
Background: Bone marrow is the soft material found inside most large bones of the body. Bone marrow produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that are released into the blood stream. Inside the marrow, these cells start off as young, immature cells called progenitor cells. Researchers want to study these cells in healthy people. Objective: To understand how progenitor cells change with age. Eligibility: Healthy people ages 18 and older Design: Participants will be screened with a questionnaire, a physical exam, and blood tests. Participants will have a bone marrow aspirate. They will be asked to lie on their stomach or side. A local anesthetic will be injected with a small needle under the skin at the site. A needle will then be placed through the skin and into the hip bone. A small amount of the liquid part of the bone marrow will be taken up into the needle. After the needle is removed, a pressure bandage will be placed on the site. Participants will be asked to become a repeat volunteer and have a bone marrow aspirate sample collected once every other year. They will have a physical exam and blood tests before each collection. The cells from the collection will be used for genetic testing and research. Participants will be in the study for as long as they remain healthy and willing to participate.
The objective of this study is to determine the effects of a 6-month, home-based personalized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) intervention targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on cognitive function, dual task standing and walking, and other metrics of mobility in older adults with motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR).
The typical female pattern of accumulating fat in the hips and thighs has long been thought to confer less risk for disease than the typical male abdominal fat pattern. However, leg fat may not simply be benign with respect to disease risk, but may in fact protect against cardiovascular disease risk. Although the mechanism for this is unknown, the investigators hypothesize that removing a portion of this important fat depot (via liposuction) could increase disease risk. Such unfavorable results may or may not be transient depending on an individual's ability to defend their fat mass. Because sex hormones appear to play a role in regional fat accumulation, the investigators hypothesize that estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women may have an augmented abdominal fat accumulation and an attenuated hip and thigh re-accumulation compared to premenopausal women following lipectomy and compared to non-surgical controls. As a result, the increased abdominal fat accumulation may worsen disease risk in postmenopausal women. Menopause-related differences in fat storage at baseline are also expected to determine the degree to which lipectomy alters disease risk and the propensity for AT re-accumulation.
Establishment of a BNA reference database for the Adult and Elderly Population. Hypothesis-generating study designed to collect data that will aid in future scientific and engineering exploration of correlations between clinical assessments and BNA scores. The results are primarily intended for scientific inquiry and engineering development purposes, and may be used in future regulatory submissions.
The purpose of this pilot study is to determine whether adipose tissue loses some of its ability to expand in response to overfeeding in older compared to younger men. The investigators hypothesize that the adipose tissue response to overfeeding may be weakened in older when compared to younger men, thereby leading to worsened ectopic storage depots for older men.
The goal of this basic science clinical trial is to understand whether adipose tissue blood flow changes between younger and older healthy adults. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Is basal and nutrient responsive adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) different between younger and older adults * What molecular and systemic signatures related to adipose tissue blood flow are altered between these two groups. Participants will undergo measurements of adipose tissue blood flow using the xenon washout technique, undergo 2 abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies, and drink a sugary drink.
The goal of this clinical study is to learn about the effect of aging on certain enzymes, or proteins, in the blood and colon. The study involves collection of blood and colon tissue biopsies using a flexible sigmoidoscope or colonoscope. This study is also investigating how medications tenofovir and emtricitabine interact with certain enzymes. The investigators will compare the difference in enzyme activity between people taking tenofovir and emtricitabine, to those who are not taking tenofovir and emtricitabine.
This study is being done to collect Adipose tissue from young and older individuals and gather data on the effect of methionine aminopeptidase protein (MetAP2) inhibition on that Adipose tissue in the laboratory.
The purpose of the study is to investigate the use of a special radioactive drug called 123I-MIBG and myocardial MIBG scintigraphy. This scan may be able to help determine who may have a certain kind of neurologic disorder called Lewy Body Disease. The overall purpose of this study is to correlate myocardial MIBG scintigraphy findings with clinical diagnosis. Myocardial MIBG scintigraphy imaging will be combined with other clinical, neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings to improve the prediction for underlying Lewy Body Disease.
Sarcopenic obesity in older individuals presents a clinical conundrum without an effective therapeutic strategy. This study will determine the impact of precision amino acid delivery as part of a meal replacement (EMR) during weight loss on the preservation of lean tissue and improvements in metabolic health and physical function in older obese adults. Following weight loss, the investigators will examine whether one serving/day of EMR will sustain the above stated benefits.
The primary purpose of this protocol is to develop a reliable method to determine BAT mass in young and older adults by magnetic resonance imaging.
Our preliminary data show for in cognitively-normal elderly, that Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is associated with the increase of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated-Tau (P-Tau) and total-Tau (T-Tau), decreases in medial temporal lobe glucose uptake (FDG-PET) and volume (MRI) and progressive memory decline, all of which have been shown to be useful in predicting future dementia in older adults. These findings raise the question as to whether Alzheimer's disease (AD) tissue damage causes SDB in the elderly, or alternatively, if SDB acts as a risk factor for AD neurodegeneration. In the proposed study, we will investigate these mechanistic hypotheses in cognitively normal elderly by examining the longitudinal associations between SDB and cognitive decline, novel MR neuroimaging and CSF biomarkers for neurodegeneration; while our secondary goal is to launch a pilot treatment study to aid in interpreting the mechanistic hypotheses and to examine the effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on cognitive decline and neurodegeneration.
Seniors 65 years of age and older represent one of the fastest growing segments of society with the population doubling within the next 25 years with dramatic rates of mental decline, costing society billions of dollars each year. The proposed research seeks to discover whether relatively short term mental or physical training can enhance gist reasoning, generalize to untrained cognitive areas and modify/strengthen brain function in areas susceptible to aging processes. To identify neuroprotective and non-pharmacological interventions to prevent mental decline and maximize cognitive brain health during the course of the adult lifespan has major public policy implications.
The purpose of this study is to learn what changes in blood vessel contraction may occur as a result of a disease of the vessel that requires surgery. The study will examine the calcium channels present in the vessels being operated on, and the genes that may alter blood vessel function. Possible variation in these genes may change the kind of calcium channels present in blood vessels.
This study will examine the role of epigenetics (heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in DNA sequence) in the aging process. DNA is the primary genetic material, responsible for transmitting information from one cell to the next or from one generation to the next. A second layer of heredity is described by the term "epigenetics." Epigenetic information is reset from one generation to the next. It works in two ways: 1) by modification of the DNA, like balloons stuck at irregular intervals onto the sides of the DNA helix that encodes genes, and 2) through specialized protein shells that wrap around some regions of DNA. As in DNA, these shells can copy themselves and can transmit instructions. Because they are used to turn genes on and off, errors in their settings cause critical misinformation to be transmitted. Aging involves many changes, such as muscle weakening, graying hair, skin wrinkling, and so forth. There are several current theories of aging, including damage to genes by oxidation, shortening of tiny structures at the ends of chromosomes called telomeres, and the ability to stretch lifespan with caloric restrictions. This study will investigate the possible role of epigenetics in aging by examining and comparing the shell-like epigenetic settings in skin cells in young adults and older individuals. Preliminary results from earlier studies show differences in these settings in younger and older people. Women between the ages of 21 and 30 years and 65 and 90 years who are undergoing breast reduction or mastectomy at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, may participate in this study. Tissue removed during surgery for pathological examination will also be used by researchers in this study to validate the preliminary findings noted above and to continue studies into the new area of epigenetics and aging. ...
The purpose of this study is to determine whether exercise alters the way in which the body stores and breaks down fat. A second objective is to evaluate how these effects are influenced by your age and gender. These studies are important because aging, male gender, and menopause are associated with an increased storage of abdominal fat which is frequently accompanied by diabetes, a high blood cholesterol level, high blood pressure and greater risks of heart attack, stroke, and death. Increasing evidence suggests that these abnormalities and many other effects of aging may be partly due to lack of exercise.
The purpose of this study is to collect and study the brain tissue of deceased individuals to learn more about the nervous system and mental disorders. Information gained from donated tissue may lead to better treatments and potential cures for nervous system and mental disorders. This study will ask relatives of deceased individuals to donate the brains of their deceased relatives to allow further study of neurological and psychiatric disorders. We do not accept prospective donations.
This project will study the effects and mechanisms of a music improvisation training intervention on self-regulation of older adults with and without MCI. The investigator's overall hypothesis is that improvisation training will lead to improvements in self-regulation, compared to controls, and that improvisation training will be associated with specific changes in prefrontal brain networks and ultimately cognitive engagement.
This project will develop and test the effects and mechanisms of a music improvisation training intervention on self-regulation of older adults with and without MCI. The investigator's overall hypothesis is that improvisation training will lead to improvements in self-regulation, compared to controls, and that improvisation training will be associated with specific changes in prefrontal brain networks and ultimately cognitive engagement.
High blood pressure (BP) is the major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and related health conditions, particularly among postmenopausal (PM) women. In adults age ≥50 years this risk is primarily driven by above-normal systolic BP (SBP ≥120 mmHg), as diastolic BP plateaus, then decreases in older adulthood. Although SBP is lower in premenopausal women vs. age-matched men, SBP reaches, then surpasses men after age 60. As such, \>75% of PM women in the U.S. have above-normal SBP, which, in turn, is responsible for a 2-fold increase in risk of hypertension and corresponding increases in risk of CVD, chronic kidney disease and many other disorders. A key process linking high SBP to CVD and related conditions is vascular endothelial dysfunction, mediated by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress and reductions in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. As the number of PM women is rapidly growing, further increases in SBP-related CV disorders are projected without effective intervention. * Aerobic exercise (AE) is a first-line, standard-of-care therapy for lowering BP. In PM women with baseline SBP ≥120 mmHg, AE reduces casual (resting) SBP by \~3 mmHg (back to baseline ≤4 weeks post-training), whereas 24-hour SBP is typically unchanged. However, only 25-30% of PM women meet guidelines for 150 min/week of moderate-intensity AE, citing the extensive time requirement, facility access and travel disruptions as major barriers. Another, far less recognized, limitation is that AE training consistently improves endothelial function in midlife/older men, but not in estrogen-deficient PM (PMe-) women, i.e., in \>95% of the 60+million PM women in the U.S. Thus, establishing new lifestyle therapies that induce and sustain reductions in SBP and increases in endothelial function in PMe- women with above-normal SBP is an important public health goal. * High-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) is a time-efficient (5 minutes per session) lifestyle intervention consisting of 30 inspiratory maneuvers performed against a high resistance. Preliminary data suggest 6-weeks of IMST performed 6 days/week reduces SBP by 9 mmHg in adults with above-normal SBP (i.e., greater than 120 mmHg) at baseline. Importantly, this reduction in SBP is equal to or greater than the reduction in blood pressure typically achieved with time- and effort-intensive healthy lifestyle strategies like conventional aerobic exercise. In addition, IMST improved endothelial function in the PMe- women in a small pilot study. * To translate these promising preliminary results towards clinical practice, this randomized clinical trial is being conducted to directly compare the efficacy of a longer, clinically relevant treatment duration of IMST (3 months) against home-based, moderate-intensity (standard-of-care) AE in PMe-women. The primary outcome will be the change in casual SBP (IMST vs. AE). Changes in 24-hour SBP and endothelial function will serve as secondary outcomes. Effects on NO bioavailability, ROS/oxidative stress, and the role of "circulating factors" will provide insight into mechanisms of action. The sustained effects on SBP and endothelial function also will be assessed. * Accordingly, a randomized, blinded, sham-controlled, parallel group design clinical trial will be conducted to assess the efficacy of 3-months of IMST (75 percent maximal inspiratory pressure) vs. brisk walking (40-60% heart rate reserve; an established healthy lifestyle strategy) for lowering SBP and improving endothelial function in PMe- women age 50 years and older with above-normal SBP. It is hypothesized that IMST will lower SBP and improve endothelial function by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. It is also expect that adherence to the intervention will be excellent (over 80 percent of all training sessions completed at the appropriate intensity). * To test this hypothesis, 90 PMe- women age 50 years and older who have SBP \>/= 120 mmHg will be recruited. Participants will undergo baseline testing for casual (resting) SBP, 24-hour ambulatory SBP and endothelial function. Innovative mechanistic probes including pharmaco-dissection with vitamin C, analysis of biopsied endothelial cells, and high-throughput metabolomics, will be performed to assess oxidative stress and nitric oxide bioavailability at baseline. * After baseline testing, subjects will be randomized to perform either 3-months of high-resistance IMST or brisk walking. Subjects will train 6 days/week. Following 3 months of training, subjects will redo all the tests that were done during baseline testing to assess training-induced changes in SBP, physiological functions, and underlying mechanisms. Subjects will then cease training for 6 weeks before returning to the lab for follow-up testing to determine the persistent effects of IMST.
The study doctor will give EVOLENCE® mixed with Lidocaine to people in this study to see if it effectively reduces pain while injecting and works to correct nasolabial wrinkles. The product being used in this study is EVOLENCE®, which is currently marketed in the United States for the cosmetic correction of soft tissue contour deficiencies (including wrinkles), and been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This is a single-center, prospective, controlled, randomized and open label study to investigate the effect of the semaglutide addition to standard of care weight loss intervention (personalized lifestyle and exercise) in elderly obese subjects on body weight and body composition as assessed by DEXA.
Loss of muscle mass and strength is a well-established outcome of normal aging. Muscle strength and mobility are also dependent on the quality and strength of connective tissue, which surrounds skeletal muscle. These layers, which are continuous with tendons, allow for the effective transfer of tension from skeletal muscle to bone to enable movement. Importantly, skeletal muscle strength is directly related to connective tissue strength. Greater tendon connective tissue cross-sectional area and stiffness optimize force transfer through tendon to maximize musculoskeletal function. As with skeletal muscle, tendon connective tissue quality declines with age. Previous research indicates that resistance training can improve muscle strength in older adults, but may not counter the effects of aging on tendon. The specific problem is that no approaches are available that benefit both skeletal muscle and tendon health to minimize loss of muscle mass and quality while also improving connective tissue quality and function in older adults. A critical need exists to assess approaches that improve both muscle and connective tissue strength and function. This need is highly relevant for older women, due to their higher risk of sarcopenia than men. Resistance training, especially when combined with higher protein intake, has been consistently shown to improve muscle mass and strength in older adults. Further, emerging research indicates that diets rich in total and indispensable amino acids (as in beef) augment exercise-induced improvements in tendon cross-sectional area in rodents and young humans. However, limited research exists on the impact of beef consumption combined with resistance training on muscle and tendon tissue outcomes, especially in older women. This research study will assess the effects of consuming a healthy, protein-rich diet emphasizing lean beef, compared to a healthy, normal-protein, lower beef diet (control 1), and a healthy protein-rich, lower beef diet emphasizing non-beef/red meat protein (control 2) on resistance training-induced changes in muscle and tendon tissue size, strength, and quality in older women.