Vascular Aging and Microcirculation: Physiological Aspects of Vascular Aging in the Elderly Population (VAMP-Aging)

NCT07563725 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: VAMP-Aging
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 62
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Rising life expectancy worldwide challenges public health due to increased cardiovascular disease linked to vascular aging, where microvascular dysfunction serves as an early indicator of system-wide inflammation, or "inflammaging". The proposed study aims to validate non-invasive, high-resolution techniques, such as Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging, to identify early endothelial senescence biomarkers and map their correlation with metabolic, inflammatory, and anthropometric profiles to advance personalized, preventive translational medicine.

Conditions

Aging Problems

Keywords

microcirculation; Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging; vascular aging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Systemic (cutaneous) microcirculatory reactivity.

  To analyze structural and functional changes in the microcirculation in different ages groups, with emphasis on microvascular endothelial senescence.

  up to 20 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Muscle Strength

  up to 10 minutes

Study Arms (2)

elderly (60-80 years)

Evaluation of systemic microcirculation

Diagnostic Test: Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging; Diagnostic Test: Handgrip Dynamometry (Muscle Strength); Diagnostic Test: Sit-to-Stand Test (5-Times Sit-to-Stand - 5STS); Diagnostic Test: Single-Leg Balance Test; Diagnostic Test: Assessment of Global Cognitive Function

very elderly (>80)

Evaluation of systemic microcirculation

Diagnostic Test: Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging; Diagnostic Test: Handgrip Dynamometry (Muscle Strength); Diagnostic Test: Sit-to-Stand Test (5-Times Sit-to-Stand - 5STS); Diagnostic Test: Single-Leg Balance Test; Diagnostic Test: Assessment of Global Cognitive Function

Interventions

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Investigation of Systemic Endothelial Microvascular Function

elderly (60-80 years); very elderly (>80)

Handgrip Dynamometry (Muscle Strength) DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Serving as a marker of systemic muscle strength and sarcopenia.

elderly (60-80 years); very elderly (>80)

Sit-to-Stand Test (5-Times Sit-to-Stand - 5STS) DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

This test will assess the strength and power of the lower limbs.

elderly (60-80 years); very elderly (>80)

Single-Leg Balance Test DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Failure to maintain the position (to stand on one leg) for at least 10 seconds will be correlated as a marker of frailty and risk of falls.

elderly (60-80 years); very elderly (>80)

Assessment of Global Cognitive Function DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Overall cognitive function will be assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination.

elderly (60-80 years); very elderly (>80)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years - 100 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

An observational, cross-sectional study will be conducted, including volunteers aged ≥ 60 years, divided into two groups: elderly (60-80 years) and very elderly (\>80). Young volunteers aged between 20 and 40 years, already participants in previous studies, whose demographic and microcirculation data are in the research laboratory's database, will be included as controls. Data from the control group will be obtained from an institutional database, respecting confidentiality and anonymization, in accordance with current ethical standards.

You may qualify if:

• Absence of symptoms and history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
• Baseline blood pressure levels within the normal range (\< 140/90 mmHg, according to WHO criteria) and absence of use of antihypertensive medications.

You may not qualify if:

• Diabetes Mellitus: Fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or use of hypoglycemic agents.
• Smoking: Active or quit less than 5 years ago.
• Inflammatory Diseases: Autoimmune diseases, active neoplasms, or acute infectious processes.
• Surgery or trauma in the last 60 days.
• Renal Dysfunction: Chronic renal failure (estimated by eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73m²).
• Medication Use: Chronic use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or drugs with direct action on vascular reactivity (e.g., continuous use of nitrates).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Cardiology, Laranjeiras, Brazil: lead

Study Sites (1)

Eduardo Tibiriçá

Rio de Janeiro, 22240006, Brazil

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging; Muscle Strength

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Optical Imaging; Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Investigative Techniques; Physical Examination; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Eduardo Tibirica, MD, PhD

CONTACT

+55-21-99914-6075; etibi@uol.com.br

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Senior Researcher

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 22, 2026
• First Posted: May 4, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2029
• Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BR (1)