Aging Clinical Trials

The goal of this observational study is to develop online, self-paced mindfulness (iMBSR) and lifestyle education (iLifeEd) programs for adults with cognitive concerns. Participants will engage in focus groups to discuss healthy living, web-based behavioral interventions, intervention content/format and ideal outcomes after engaging in behavioral interventions that promote healthy living. Additionally, participants will provide feedback on the protocol and online platform for either iMBSR or iLifeEd. This feedback will be used to refine the iMBSR and iLifeEd protocols for future use in the randomized controlled trial portion of the parent project. Read Less

This study proposes the novel use of a bedrail-affixed technology-based patient hand hygiene system with verbal and visual reminders to improve hospitalized older adults' self-management of hand hygiene practice, which in return reduces harmful germs found on older adult's hands that lead to infections. Read Less

This study is following up on previous studies that have demonstrated that geriatric subjects respond different to ultraviolet B (UVB) light than young subjects. The treatment of geriatric skin with dermal rejuvenation therapies (dermabrasion, fractionated laser resurfacing) restores the appropriate UVB response. Ongoing studies have tested the ability of fractionated laser resurfacing (FLR) to assess how long this wounding effect lasts-and have found that this appears to be a durable response which lasts for at least two years. The findings that FLR protects geriatric skin at two years is the impetus for this study. This study is an interventional study to assess if FLR treatment of one forearm of geriatric subjects with multiple actinic keratosis will result in the short-term removal of actinic keratosis, and the long-term decrease in levels of future actinic keratosis and other non-melanoma skin cancers in comparison to the untreated arm. Study length and visit: The first part of the study is completed in 1 day then there are follow up visits at 90 days and every 6 months for 5 years. Read Less

This study does not involve any particular diagnosis. The goal of this research study is to explore the effects of artificial sunlight (ultraviolet B radiation; UVB) on the skin of young adults versus geriatric adults. Sunlight exerts many effects on the body. There is evidence that in response to ultraviolet B radiation (UVB), which are the burning rays of sunlight, young adult skin responds differently than geriatric skin. In fact, researchers feel that this difference in how the skin reacts to UVB is why skin cancers are found in older skin. Researchers believe that a major difference between young adult and geriatric skin is that young skin has a lot of a protein called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), whereas geriatric skin has very little. The current study will test how young adult versus geriatric skin responds to UVB, and if geriatric skin treated with an injection of small amount of IGF-1 drug will then act like young skin. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to determine if the Fractionated Laser Resurfacing (FLR) procedure can protect one forearm/wrist from precancerous actinic keratosis (AKs) as well as prevent skin cancer in older subjects with active AKs. This study builds on a similar study ongoing at the Dayton Veterans Administration dermatology clinic. This study is also testing if a photograph of the skin can be used to predict where the AKs and an skin cancers will form. Read Less

This project will compare two training models of an evidence-based online dementia care training program for direct care staff in assisted living to a waitlist control: 1) essentiALZ training and 2) essentiALZ training + Project ECHO. It will examine the extent to which each model is implemented and achieves its intended outcomes to improve staff knowledge and attitudes, change care practices, and improve the wellbeing of staff, residents, and residents' family members. Results will inform next steps in dementia care training for the assisted living (AL) and broader long-term care workforce. To examine these outcomes, data will be collected from AL staff and families over the course of 6 months. Staff will complete questionnaires and participate in interviews (as applicable) at baseline, post-training, 3-months, and 6-months. Families will participate in interviews at baseline, 3-months, and 6-months. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of daily consumption of walnuts for 12 weeks on cognitive function, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, and the gut microbiome in healthy adults age 55 years and older. Read Less

Background: - The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) is a clinical research program on human aging that began in 1958. Volunteers of different ages join the study when they are healthy, and have follow-up visits for life. Visits last for multiple days. Participants are evaluated for many physical elements as well as for brain function. Physical tests are given. Information on mood, personality, and social aspects of life is also collected. This program has contributed more than any other research project to our understanding of aging. Objectives: - To characterize the many aspects of the aging process and learn how people can successfully adapt to aging. Eligibility: - Healthy individuals at least 20 years old. Design: * Participants will receive a booklet and video describing the tests they will take. * During a 3-day visit at the study hospital, participants will take the following tests: * Urine will be collected for 24 hours. Blood samples will be taken. A small piece of muscle tissue may be collected by a needle. * A medical questionnaire and a physical exam will be given. * Participants hearts will be tested, including with blood pressure tests and electronic monitors. They will breathe into a tube to test their lungs. * Participants will perform several exercises, including treadmill walking. * Vision, hearing, and taste will be tested. * Bone and joint X-rays may be taken. * Imaging tests will be given, such as an MRI. * Participants will answer questions to test their mental abilities. * Participants will return for follow-up visits every few years for life. The tests listed above will be given at every visit. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to determine if daily consumption of 2 oz of pecans compared to 3.5 oz pretzel snacks for 12 weeks will 1) contribute to the body's ability to protect itself from oxidative damage (caused by oxygen radicals created by ultraviolet (UV) B light) by evaluating skin resistance to UV light irritation, skin fats/oils degradation and "rusting", and oxidative damage to the skin genes; and 2) explore the mechanisms of how snack consumption may affect aging by analyzing blood markers of aging as well as the microbes living in the gut (gut microbiome). Read Less

The investigators will study performance on computerized cognitive tasks in healthy participants of different ages to gather normative data for newly developed computerized cognitive tests. These tests are designed to permit the early detection of individuals at risk of age-related cognitive decline. Read Less

The aim of this study is to design a sleep and mindfulness intervention to improve sleep, quality of life, and cognitive function among older adults. Read Less

The goal of this study is to learn if manipulating the brain using magnets works to treat balance impairment, a major cause of falls, in older adults with balance problems. The technique to manipulate the brain using magnets is known as transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How does TMS change communication between brain areas? * Does TMS improve balance ability in older adults with balance problems? Researchers will compare the TMS group to a placebo group to see if manipulating the brain using magnets works to treat balance impairment. Participants will: * Receive TMS or placebo stimulation for 4 weeks. * Visit the laboratory for checkups and tests 3 times. Read Less