Study of Genetic and Epigenetic Biomarkers to Understand Aging and Improve Quality of Life in Adults 20 and Older

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating biomarkers, which are substances found in blood and tissues, to better understand aging and its effects on health. This observational study aims to identify changes in biomarkers associated with aging in healthy, non-healthy, frail, and non-frail adults ranging from 20 to over 80 years old. The study focuses on the biological, environmental, and physical changes that occur with aging, comparing biomarkers from blood, muscle, fat, and skin tissues to explore their relationship with aging-related declines in physical and cognitive functions. Participants are grouped by health status and age and will undergo extensive testing every two years, including blood and urine collection, physical performance evaluations, cognitive tests, imaging scans like MRI and CT, muscle metabolism and exercise tests, taste assessments, biopsies, retinal imaging, eye tracking, and sleep studies. Specialized procedures such as cytapheresis, bone marrow aspirate, hyperglycemic clamp, lumbar puncture, and continuous glucose monitoring are included in specific visits. Additional visits with modified testing schedules occur starting at year 8 and then every 10 years thereafter to reduce participant burden while capturing long-term data. Throughout the study, participants will have regular assessments of their biological samples and physical and cognitive functions. Researchers will collect and store genetic samples to analyze gene expression and epigenetic changes. The primary outcome involves developing detailed biomarker profiles related to aging. Participants will be monitored over many years with repeat visits and testing to track aging trajectories, with ongoing evaluation of their health, cognitive status, and physical abilities.

Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing (GESTALT)