Arlington Aging Study

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.

Subjects will be asked to participate in two study visits that may last up to 5 hours each. In some cases, additional visits may be needed to accommodate their schedule, and/or the schedule of the study team. All participants will provide informed consent prior to participating in the study procedures such as demographic, medical history, risk factor assessment; questionnaires; geographic information system analysis; blood pressure measurements; assessment of aerobic exercise capacity, cognitive function; olfactory testing; Dual X-Ray absorbency, fasting followed by venous blood draw, vascular function assessment; testing of muscle strength; short physical performance battery; functional mobility; and remote monitoring. The order of procedures and visits may change depending on participant, staff, equipment, and infrastructure availability/needs. Moreover, procedures may be repeated for data quality purposes, if deemed necessary by the investigators.

Inclusion Criteria: 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. Exclusion Criteria: Phase 1: Clinical diagnosis of dementia; major depression (diagnosed by a physician), visual or auditory impairments that preclude neuropsychological testing or otherwise jeopardize the health and wellbeing of the participant during testing, non-ambulatory status (i.e. less than 10 m without mobility aid), shortness of breath while performing normal activities of daily living (walking through grocery store), body mass index greater than 45 kg/m2, heart failure or cardiomyopathy, acute coronary syndrome, primary valvular heart disease, severe gait disorder due to musculoskeletal disease or neurological motor deficit (e.g. severe osteoarthritis, lower limb amputation, Parkinson's disease, major stroke with motor sequelae); daily consumption of more than two alcoholic beverages; current treatment for cancer, and estimated life expectancy less than 4 years. Inclusion/exclusion will be verified using the demographics and medical history. Phase 2: Clinical diagnosis of dementia; major depression (diagnosed by a physician), visual or auditory impairments that preclude neuropsychological testing or otherwise jeopardize the health and wellbeing of the participant during testing, non-ambulatory status (i.e. less than 10 m without mobility aid), shortness of breath while performing normal activities of daily living (walking through grocery store), body mass index greater than 45 kg/m2, heart failure or cardiomyopathy, acute coronary syndrome, primary valvular heart disease, severe gait disorder due to musculoskeletal disease or neurological motor deficit (e.g. severe osteoarthritis, lower limb amputation, Parkinson's disease, major stroke with motor sequelae), daily consumption of more than two alcoholic beverages; current treatment for cancer, and estimated life expectancy less than 4 years. Inclusion/exclusion will be verified using the demographics and medical history.