Epigenetics in the Aging Process

Completed

Conditions studied: Aging

In brief

This study will examine the role of epigenetics (heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in DNA sequence) in the aging process. DNA is the primary genetic material, responsible for transmitting information from one cell to the next or from one generation to the next. A second layer of heredity is described by the term "epigenetics." Epigenetic information is reset from one generation to the next. It works in two ways: 1) by modification of the DNA, like balloons stuck at irregular intervals onto the sides of the DNA helix that encodes genes, and 2) through specialized protein shells that wrap around some regions of DNA. As in DNA, these shells can copy themselves and can transmit instructions. Because they are used to turn genes on and off, errors in their settings cause critical misinformation to be transmitted. Aging involves many changes, such as muscle weakening, graying hair, skin wrinkling, and so forth. There are several current theories of aging, including damage to genes by oxidation, shortening of tiny structures at the ends of chromosomes called telomeres, and the ability to stretch lifespan with caloric restrictions. This study will investigate the possible role of epigenetics in aging by examining and comparing the shell-like epigenetic settings in skin cells in young adults and older individuals. Preliminary results from earlier studies show differences in these settings in younger and older people. Women between the ages of 21 and 30 years and 65 and 90 years who are undergoing breast reduction or mastectomy at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, may participate in this study. Tissue removed during surgery for pathological examination will also be used by researchers in this study to validate the preliminary findings noted above and to continue studies into the new area of epigenetics and aging. ...

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00242255

Run by

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

People needed

90

Starts

2008-09-23

Expected to finish

2021-02-05

Last updated by the study team

2021-02-09

Who can join

Age: 14 and older, up to 90. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• Down's or other premature aging syndromes
• Mastectomies: skin involvement in the malignant process or damage due to prior radiation therapy
• Active skin infection
• Skin damage due to photoaging will be noted but will not be a basis for exclusion

Where it is running

• GW University Medical Center — Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
• Suburban Hospital — Bethesda, Maryland, United States
• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike — Bethesda, Maryland, United States
• Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, Virginia, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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