# A novel research infrastructure enabling life-course studies of healthy aging

> **NIH NIH R33** · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · 2020 · $773,915

## Abstract

ABSTRACT for transition to R33 Phase
This proposal will enhance a unique scientific resource that will facilitate valid life-course approaches to define
the ideal path to successful aging, leveraging decades of NIH investment and allowing exploration of new
hypotheses. This resource will complement data from longitudinal studies with less coverage of early life, thereby
advancing the science of successful aging and providing evidence to enable remote assessment of aging-related
outcomes, which can then be applied to other cohorts. Specific aims for the enhanced and expanded activities
phase (R33) are to demonstrate feasibility and define the best methods for remotely assessing aging-related
factors in dispersed epidemiologic cohorts by: Aim #1: Conducting interviews and administering questionnaires
to assess mid-life cognitive function, social isolation, multiple chronic conditions, quality of life, functional
independence, and physical performance using validated questionnaires and tools, including NIH Toolbox and
PROMIS assessments; and Aim #2: Testing the feasibility and validity of assessing risk factor data using mobile
technology in an in-home setting. We will evaluate whether remote sample collection (e.g., saliva, stool),
physiologic assessments (e.g., heart rate, blood labs, ECG, pulse-wave velocity), objectively-measured lifestyle
factors (e.g., physical activity, sleep) and dietary intake assessed by in-home mobile technology produce high-
quality research data, compared with the gold standard of in-person visits. To achieve Aim #1, we will identify
a random sample of 150 participants from each cohort already participating in the i3C Outcomes study wi ll be
contacted by phone, mail and/or email. The research coordinator will obtain consent and will be trained to
administer the assessments. The responses will be entered into a study-specific REDCap database, a HIPAA-
compliant web-based database available at both Tulane and CCHMC. We aim to recru it subjects with multiple
data points across childhood and adulthood, who will have decades of participation. To achieve Aim #2, each
cohort will enroll 50 participants (150 total) at the time of phone interview (R33 Aim 1) to participate in an
additional feasibility study of wearable technology, and an in-person validation visit. Subjects will be selected by
proximity to the clinic site, access to a smartphone, sex (50% male), and race (based on proportion in each
cohort). During this phone call, additional consent procedures will be explained, and the in-person validation
study visit will be scheduled for the week following the home data collection. A Virtual Clinic study kit will be
mailed, along with a paper consent. All participants receiving the mailed in-home devices wil l be scheduled for
an in-person clin ic visit at Tulane or CCHMC during the next 1-2 weeks after the in-home testing. During this
visit, participants will undergo the following assessments, which will be used to validate...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10223477
- **Project number:** 4R33AG057983-03
- **Recipient organization:** TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- **Principal Investigator:** Lydia Bazzano
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $773,915
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2018-08-15 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10223477

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10223477, A novel research infrastructure enabling life-course studies of healthy aging (4R33AG057983-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10223477. Licensed CC0.

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