Arlington Aging Study

NCT06857877 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2024-0111
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 770
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the mechanisms causing functional decline with age, using magnetic resonance imaging, exercise science, integrative physiology, neuroscience, and remote monitoring. Specific aims include: Aim 1: Advance knowledge of the biology of aging and its impact on the prevention, progression, and prognosis of disease and disability. Aim 2: Determine the effects of personal and societal factors on aging. Aim 3: Examine the influence of racial/ethnic and sex differences on the biology of aging and its impact on the prevention, progression, and prognosis of disease and disability.

Conditions

Aging

Keywords

Aging; MRI; Cognitive Function; Exercise Science; Remote Monitoring

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (29)

• Sense of Smell

  Olfactory Testing will be assessed using the NIH Toolbox Odor Identification cards. After scratching a card and sniffing from each sample, respondents will be asked to choose the best match for each odor from pictures representing the odor sources.

  Baseline

• Blood Pressure

  Blood Pressure will be measured in the sitting position using an automated blood pressure monitor. After sitting blood pressure measurements, participants will be asked to stand up to measure standing blood pressure.

  Baseline

• Street Address

  Geographic information systems will assign a geocode to each participant's home address, providing latitude, and longitude coordinates based on the provided street address.

  Baseline

• Ankle Brachial Index

  The Ankle Brachial Index will be noninvasively assessed using the Smartdop XT device (Koven Technology, Inc.).

  Baseline

• Pulse Wave Velocity

  Arterial stiffness will be measured non-invasively with the Sphygmocor XCEL device (AtCor Medical).

  Baseline

• Flow- mediated dilation

  The flow-mediated change in brachial artery diameter (i.e. flow-mediated dilation; FMD), in response to a 5-minute period of arterial occlusion will be used to assess peripheral vascular function.

  Baseline

• Steps taken

  A wrist-worn continuous activity tracker (Fitbit wristband) will be worn by the subjects for 7 days.

  Baseline

• Sedentary Time

  A wrist-worn continuous activity tracker with heart rate monitor (Fitbit wristband) will be worn by the subjects for 7 days.

  Baseline

• Sleep

  A wrist-worn continuous activity tracker (Fitbit) will be worn by the subjects for 7 days to assess total sleep time, and sleep quality.

  Baseline

• Medical History Questionnaire

  Participants will complete health history questionnaires to gain a deeper understanding of their lived experiences and past medical history.

  Baseline

• Complete blood count

  Venous blood will be drawn by a trained phlebotomist and/or nurse in the fasting state. Blood will be shipped to LabCorp for processing of the complete blood count.

  Baseline

• Functional Mobility

  Objective gait measurements will be obtained using a gait mat. Participants will complete 6 separate walks down the full length of the walkway; 3 walks at a preferred pace and 3 walks while performing different secondary tasks (i.e. dual-task gait) in a fixed order: 1. counting backward by ones, 2. naming animals, and 3. counting backward by sevens. Walking aids will be permitted.

  Baseline

• Cognitive Function

  Cognitive function will be assessed using the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB), administered on an iPad or computer by a trained study team member.

  Baseline

• Lower extremity function

  Participants will perform the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The test includes walking, the sit-to-stand test and balance.

  Baseline

• Grip strength

  Grip strength will be measured following a standardized approach using a validated Jamar handgrip dynamometer (Model J00105, JAMAR Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer).

  Baseline

• Bone Density

  Participants will undergo Dual X-Ray Absorbency (DEXA) to measure bone density.

  Baseline

• Interstitial glucose

  A continuous glucose monitor that measures interstitial glucose will be worn by the subject for 7 days.

  Baseline

• Body Composition

  Participants will undergo Dual X-Ray Absorbency (DEXA) to measure subcutaneous and visceral fat content.

  Baseline

• Ambulatory blood pressure

  A wrist worn continuous blood pressure monitor (Aktiia wristband) will be worn by the subjects for 7 days for the measurement of ambulatory blood pressure.

  Baseline

• Exercise Capacity

  Exercise Capacity will be assessed using the six-minute walk test.

  Baseline

• Blood lipids

  Venous blood will be drawn and shipped to Labcorp for blood lipid analysis

  Baseline

• Metabolic Panel (blood)

  Venous blood will be drawn and shipped to labcorp for evaluation of the metabolic panel.

  Baseline

• Apolipoprotein A

  Measured by labcrop from venous blood draw.

  Baseline

• Apolipoprotein B

  Analyzed by labcorp from venous blood draw.

  Baseline

• Lipoprotein A

  Analyzed by labcorp from venous blood draw

  Baseline

• Blood checmistry panel

  Analyzed by labcorp from venous blood draw

  Baseline

• HbA1C (blood)

  Analyzed by labcorp from venous blood draw

  Baseline

• High sensitivity C reactive protein (blood)

  Analyzed by labcorp from venous blood draw

  Baseline

• Genetic testing

  Whole blood (approximately 25 ml) will be stored in special tubes that preserve genetic material in our -80ºC freezer. Genetic testing experiments, including targeted single variants, single gene testing, genetic panel testing, whole genome sequencing, chromosomal testing, gene expression and biochemical testing, may be performed on the samples.

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

Older Adults

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult men and women currently living in Tarrant County will be contacted through IRB approved flyers, targeted ads (social media), and/or word-of-mouth.

You may qualify if:

• Phase 1: Young healthy men and women between 18 - 30 years of age, and older men and women between 50 - 80 years of age.
• Phase 2: Men and women living in Tarrant County, Texas, between 50 - 85 years of age. In addition, the investigators will study up to 120 younger men and women, between 18-30 years of age, equally divided by race/ethnicity (same as above) and sex, to serve as reference controls.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Texas at Arlington: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Texas Arlington

Arlington, Texas, 76019, United States

RECRUITING

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

Whole blood will be stored in special tubes that preserve genetic material. Genetic testing experiments, including targeted single variants, single gene testing, genetic panel testing, whole genome sequencing, chromosomal testing, gene expression and biochemical testing, may be performed on the samples.

Central Study Contacts

Michael Nelson, PhD

CONTACT

8175130383; michael.nelson3@uta.edu

Rajvi Shah, MPH

CONTACT

2147557343; rajvi.shah@uta.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2024
• First Posted: March 5, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2030
• Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

US (1)