Development of Clinical Methods to Evaluate Neural Function in Aging (MIND)

April 4, 2018 updated by: University of Florida
A primary focus of the University of Florida (UF) Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) is to build a comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of declining physical function and disability development among older adults. To date investigators have largely focused on sarcopenia, the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and strength, as the primary contributor to physical decline. However, recent findings indicate that changes in the central and/or peripheral nervous systems may play a larger role than previously thought in the development of functional limitations. These fields hold extensive promise for identifying novel contributors to age-related functional decline. Therefore, the overarching aim of this project is to develop the ability of RC1 to assess novel neural contributors to mobility and overall physical function. Importantly, the development of these techniques will provide the RC1 with the tools to evaluate the potential involvement of the central and peripheral nervous systems in age-related functional decline and disablement. The primary aim of this project is to develop techniques for quantifying peripheral motor unit number and size as well as spinal cord integrity.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

As part of participation, the subjects will attend up to 4 visits. During the visits the following testing may occur:

  • Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure), height and weight will be measured.

  • Tests that assess your mobility and questions about physical function. These tests are listed below and will not be conducted in a particular order, and will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete.

    • Walking tests,

    • Tests of physical ability that include:

      1. Standing up from chairs of different height
      2. Lying on the floor and rising to a standing position
      3. Kneeling on the floor and rising to standing position
      4. Climbing a flight of stairs
      5. Lift a weighted laundry basket and placing it on a shelf
    • Muscle strength tests will be performed on the legs and arms.
    • Questionnaires that address physical function.
    • Muscle and nerve testing will be done.
    • During the above testing, sensors will be worn on the forehead that use invisible light to indirectly measure blood flow and blood oxygen content of the brain. In addition, sensors may be worn the fingers that measure how the skin conducts electricity. A chest strap that measures heart beats will also be worn. These measures are safe and provide information about the nervous system responds to physical and/or mental challenges.
  • Tests will be done that measure memory, attention, vocabulary, problem solving, and planning skills.
  • A bone density and body composition measured (scanned) by the machine called DEXA. DEXA scans, like x-rays, are painless, and involve exposure to very small amounts of radiation.
  • Images of the brain will be taken using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a procedure that allows doctors to look inside the body by using a scanner that sends out a strong magnetic field and radio waves.

All of these test are done for this study and will not be used to diagnose or treat any medical problems.

The expected length of participation is approximately six hours total, over the course of 4 separate visits.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
27

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Florida
      • Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32611
        • UF Clinical Translational Research Building

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

20 years to 100 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

We propose to recruit 30 persons over 60 years of age who are classified as either high- or low functioning based on performance on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Participants with a SPPB score ≥ 11 will be categorized as high-functioning, while the low-functioning group will include participants with a SPPB score ≤ 8. We will also recruit 15 persons between 20-30 years of age. We will target cognitively intact (3MSE > 80) older adults who are free of overt neuromuscular impairments (no dementias, brain tumors, major depression, history of stroke, etc.).

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 60 years and older OR 20-30 years
  • Higher functioning older adults: Score ≥ 11 on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
  • Lower functioning older adults: Score ≤ 8 on the SPPB
  • Body mass index: 20-35 kg/m2 to ensure homogeneity and strength of signal for EMG and MRI analyses
  • Willingness to participate in all study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Failure to provide informed consent;
  • Contraindications to MRI, such as claustrophobia, heart pacemaker / defibrillator, heart valve prosthesis, aneurysm clip, metallic stent, neurostimulation system, cochlear implants or inner ear prosthesis, insulin pump or other infusion pump, metal slivers in the orbital area/eye socket
  • active treatment for cancer or history of cancer in the past year
  • Severe cardiac disease, including NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest or stroke, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina;
  • previous stroke with upper and/or lower extremities involvement within the last 6 months
  • history of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, stroke, severe Parkinson's disease or severe neurological disorders likely to interfere with physical function
  • renal disease requiring dialysis
  • lung disease requiring steroids
  • lower extremity amputation
  • severe osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis that interferes with physical function
  • complicated diabetes requiring insulin
  • A known diagnosis of dementia
  • Unable to communicate because of severe hearing loss or speech disorder;
  • Severe visual impairment, which would preclude completion of the assessments and/or intervention;
  • Simultaneous participation in another intervention trial

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
High-functioning older adults
Participants with a SPPB score ≥ 11 will be categorized as high-functioning. The following test will be performed: Health and Quality of Life questionnaires, Mobility Assessments, Accelerometry, Body Composition (DEXA scan), Strength assessments, Neuromuscular stimulation, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Other: High-functioning older adults
Participants with a SPPB score ≥ 11 will be categorized as high-functioning. The following test will be performed: Health and Quality of Life questionnaires, Mobility Assessments, Accelerometry, Body Composition (DEXA scan), Strength assessments, Neuromuscular stimulation, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Lower-functioning older adults
Participants with a SPPB score ≤ 8 will be categorized as lower-functioning. The following test will be performed: Health and Quality of Life questionnaires, Mobility Assessments, Accelerometry, Body Composition (DEXA scan), Strength assessments, Neuromuscular stimulation, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Other: Lower-functioning older adults
Participants with a SPPB score ≤ 8 will be categorized as lower-functioning. The following test will be performed: Health and Quality of Life questionnaires, Mobility Assessments, Accelerometry, Body Composition (DEXA scan), Strength assessments, Neuromuscular stimulation, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Young adults
Participants between the 20 - 30 years of age. The following test will be performed: Health and Quality of Life questionnaires, Mobility Assessments, Accelerometry, Body Composition (DEXA scan), Strength assessments, Neuromuscular stimulation, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Other: Young adults
Participants between the 20 - 30 years of age. The following test will be performed: Health and Quality of Life questionnaires, Mobility Assessments, Accelerometry, Body Composition (DEXA scan), Strength assessments, Neuromuscular stimulation, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Neuromuscular integrity by motor unit function
Time Frame: Baseline
Tasks that require prolonged muscle force are carried out by slow, fatigue-resistant motor units, while tasks that require a quick but short increase in muscle force are mostly performed by fast motor units. Many of the postural muscles have a large proportion of S motor units. On the other hand, muscles that participate in quick limb movements such as kicking, hitting, or catching typically have a large proportion of FR and FF motor units. Most muscles, however, have a relatively wide range of the various motor units, reflecting their participation in a variety of motor tasks.
Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Structural integrity of the brain and spinal cord
Time Frame: Baseline
Magnetic resonance (MR)-based
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Florida

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Thomas Buford, PhD, University of Florida

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2015

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2016

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 2, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 25, 2014

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 25, 2014

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 27, 2014

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
April 5, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 4, 2018

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • IRB201300835-N
  • 2P30AG028740 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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