Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• Age greater than or equal to 20 years of age
• Weigh less than or equal to 300lbs and/or body mass index (BMI) is less than or equal to 40
• Do not have established genetic diseases
• Are able to perform daily self- care without assistance
• Are able to walk independently for at least 400 meters without assistance and without developing symptoms
• Are able to perform normal activities of daily living without shortness of breath (walking or climbing stairs)
• Do not have substantial cognitive impairment based on mental status screening tests
• Do not have a history of cardiovascular disease (including angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases, uncontrolled hypertension)
• Do not have a history of diabetes (requiring any medical treatment other than diet and exercise)
• Do not have active (any activity in the last 10 years) cancer, except for locally limited basal cell cancer
• Do not have clinically significant hormonal dysfunction (Laboratory values out of range despite supplementation and/or drug treatment)
• Do not have a history of neurological diseases or birth defects (other than minor anatomical abnormalities, which do not affect physical and/or cognitive function)
• Do not have a history of kidney or liver disease (associated with reduced kidney or liver function)
• Do not have a history of severe gastrointestinal (G.I.) diseases
• Do not have muscle-skeletal conditions due to diseases or traumas (that cause pathological weakness and/or chronic pain)
• Do not have a history of severe psychiatric conditions (associated with behavioral problems or requiring chronic medical treatment)
• Do not have any medical condition that requires absolute and continuous need for long term treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressors, H2 blockers and/or proton pump inhibitors, or pain medications
• Do not have important sensory deficits (legally blind and/or any condition that precludes the participant from being tested with standard neuropsychological tests or providing informed consent)
• Able to read and speak English
• Do not have joint replacements due to arthritic changes (joint replacements due to previous trauma are ok) or do not have 2 or more joint replacements for any reason.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

• HIV virus infection
• Hepatitis B or C
• Syphilis
• WBC > 12,000/mcrL;
• Platelets < 100,000 or >600,000 /mcrL;
• Hemoglobin < 11 g/dL;
• Creatinine >1.5 mg/dl or calculated creatinine clearance < 50 cc/min;
• Bilirubin > 1.5 mg/dl unless higher levels can be ascribed to Gilbert s disease;
• ALT, AST or alkaline phosphatase twice the normal serum concentration
• Corrected calcium < 8.5 or > 10.7 mg/dl
• Albumin < 3.14 g/dl