Introduction
The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) is a study of human aging and health that began in 1958 and continues to the present. The BLSA is the longest-running study of human aging in the world, with over 60 years of data collected from thousands of participants. The BLSA has been used to study a wide range of topics related to aging and health, including risk factors for age-related diseases, changes in cognitive abilities, and biomarkers of aging.
Methods
The BLSA is a prospective, longitudinal study conducted at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants are recruited from the local community and are followed up over time to monitor changes in health and aging. Participants first completed a baseline assessment that includes physical and cognitive health measures, as well as demographic and lifestyle information. Participants are followed up every two to three years with a similar battery of assessments. In addition, medical records are collected and blood samples are taken to measure biomarkers of aging.
Results
The BLSA has yielded a wealth of information about aging and health. Studies conducted with the BLSA have identified risk factors for age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as changes in cognitive abilities and biomarkers of aging. The BLSA has also been used to examine the effects of lifestyle and environmental factors on aging and health.
Conclusion
The BLSA is an invaluable resource for studying aging and health. With over 60 years of data collected from thousands of participants, the BLSA has provided a unique window into the aging process. Future studies with the BLSA are likely to yield further insights into the causes and consequences of aging and health.
References
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