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

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Aging Problems
• Intervention / Treatment: 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

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 62

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Eduardo Tibirica, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +55-21-99914-6075; Email: etibi@uol.com.br

Study Locations

• Brazil
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22240006
    • Eduardo Tibiriçá

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• 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.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
elderly (60-80 years); Evaluation of systemic microcirculation	Diagnostic test: Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging; Investigation of Systemic Endothelial Microvascular Function; Diagnostic test: Handgrip Dynamometry (Muscle Strength); Serving as a marker of systemic muscle strength and sarcopenia.; Diagnostic test: Sit-to-Stand Test (5-Times Sit-to-Stand - 5STS); This test will assess the strength and power of the lower limbs.; Diagnostic test: Single-Leg Balance 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.; Diagnostic test: Assessment of Global Cognitive Function; Overall cognitive function will be assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination.
very elderly (>80); Evaluation of systemic microcirculation	Diagnostic test: Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging; Investigation of Systemic Endothelial Microvascular Function; Diagnostic test: Handgrip Dynamometry (Muscle Strength); Serving as a marker of systemic muscle strength and sarcopenia.; Diagnostic test: Sit-to-Stand Test (5-Times Sit-to-Stand - 5STS); This test will assess the strength and power of the lower limbs.; Diagnostic test: Single-Leg Balance 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.; Diagnostic test: Assessment of Global Cognitive Function; Overall cognitive function will be assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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 Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Strength	Handgrip Dynamometry Maximum isometric strength will be assessed using a manual hydraulic dynamometer.	up to 10 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Institute of Cardiology, Laranjeiras, Brazil

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 22, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: microcirculation; Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging; vascular aging
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Investigative Techniques; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Diagnostic Imaging; Optical Imaging; Physical Examination; Muscle Strength; Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging
• Other Study ID Numbers: VAMP-Aging

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No