#United States #San Antonio #ARPA-H #UT San Antonio #Barshop Institute

Barshop Institute Receives Major Funding to Tackle Aging

In a significant achievement for aging research, The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has been awarded up to $38 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This funding is set to position the institute as a leading national hub for studies on longevity and healthy aging.

Vital Research into Aging Process

The funding will support the Validation and Intervention Testing for Aging, Longevity and Healthspan (VITAL-H) trial. This innovative research aims to explore the potential of repurposing FDA-approved medications to mitigate age-related health decline in generally healthy older adults aged between 60 and 65.

The VITAL-H trial is part of ARPA-H’s Proactive Solutions for Prolonging Resilience (PROSPR) program, which is designed to investigate how therapeutic interventions can advance health in midlife adults. According to Andrew Brack, program manager at ARPA-H, “VITAL-H will help show whether we can preserve everyday abilities during a critical window of midlife aging.”

Targeted Medications for Healthy Aging

The study will particularly focus on three medications— rapamycin, dapagliflozin, and semaglutide—which have shown considerable promise in preclinical studies and possess a good safety profile. These drugs offer distinct mechanisms of action that could potentially slow down the decline in quality of life often seen with aging.

Changing the Narrative Around Aging

Elena Volpi, the director of the Barshop Institute and a distinguished leader in the field, emphasized the need for this comprehensive research. She pointed out that despite 50 years of increased global life expectancy, age-related diseases and disabilities often emerge abruptly, leading to lower quality of life for many older adults. “This work is focused on changing that trajectory,” stated Volpi, aiming not just for longer lives, but healthier ones.

Moreover, the trial introduces the concept of Intrinsic Capacity, which aims to measure physical and mental capabilities in aging individuals, evaluating factors such as cognition, mobility, and psychological health. This holistic approach could redefine how variants of aging are understood and addressed.

Advanced Monitoring through Technology

The trial will leverage wearable technologies to monitor health indicators among participants. By capturing data from these devices, researchers aim to pinpoint a crucial window when functional decline is observable, yet without significant disease burden, thus yielding valid results.

Participants will be drawn mainly from South Texas, reflecting demographic trends that are likely to characterize the aging U.S. population in the coming decades. This focus ensures the relevance of findings for future health policies and practices across the nation.

Collaborative Efforts For Broader Impact

While the Barshop Institute will spearhead the trial, collaboration will extend beyond its primary location to include regional partners like the San Antonio Geriatric Research, Clinical and Research Center and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. This expansive network is expected to enrich the research quality and outreach.

In describing the potential of the VITAL-H trial, Volpi remarked, “By reframing aging as a modifiable functional trajectory rather than an inevitable accumulation of disease, the study establishes a scalable, regulatory-grade framework for preventive interventions.”

Conclusion

The award underscores the Barshop Institute’s legacy in pioneering aging research and its commitment to translating scientific knowledge into tangible benefits for public health. As UT San Antonio continues to evolve as a key player in the aging science field, the VITAL-H trial promises to lay a strong foundation for interventions that could profoundly impact the aging journey for many, steering towards healthier, more fulfilling later years.

For additional details regarding the VITAL-H Trial, visit the Barshop Institute Current Clinical Trials website.

This federally funded initiative signifies a monumental step forward in the quest to enhance the healthspan of aging populations, potentially setting new standards in the way we approach age-related healthcare challenges.