Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
The general objective of the BLSA study is to characterize the many aspects of the aging process and learn how people can successfully adapt to aging. To achieve it the following specific objectives are targeted:
- Describe longitudinal physical and cognitive changes that define aging;
- Identify genetic, physical, behavioral, and environmental factors that affect the rate of change in these traits;
- Understand the interrelationship between aging and chronic disease and other conditions, and their independent and joint impact on age-related decline.
Overview
- Acronym
- BLSA
- Website
- BLSA
- Investigators
-
- Contacts
-
General Design
- Study design
- Cohort
- Start - End Year
- 1958 -
- General Information on Follow Up (profile, frequency)
-
At enrolment, participants are aged 20 years and older. They are followed for life regardless of the development of comorbidities and conditions and undergo extensive testing every 1 to 4 years depending on age. Participants under age 60 are assessed every 4 years, those aged 60 to 79 years are assessed every 2 years and participants aged 80 and older are assessed annually, meaning the assessment interval changes for a participant as he ages.
- Recruitment Target
-
- Individuals
- Number of Participants
- 1,300
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 1,300
Access
Availability of data and biosamples
| Possible Access to Data | |
| Possible Access to Biosamples | |
| Other |
|
Marker Paper
Stone JL, Norris AH. Activities and attitudes of participants in the Baltimore longitudinal study. Journal of gerontology, 1966; 21(4): 575-80.
PUBMED 5918312Timeline
Populations
The population is composed of healthy men aged 60 to 79 years.
Selection Criteria
- Gender
-
Men only
- Minimum age
-
60
- Maximum age
-
79
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
- Baltimore and Maryland
- Health Status
-
- Participants have to be free of major chronic conditions and cognitive and functional impairment at enrolment.
Sources of Recruitment
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
- Supplementary Information
-
All participants are community volunteers.
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | BLSA - Follow-up Men 60-79 years old |
|
|
1958 | 2014 |
The population is composed of healthy men aged 80 years and older.
Selection Criteria
- Gender
-
Men only
- Minimum age
-
80
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
- Baltimore and Maryland
- Health Status
-
- Participants have to be free of major chronic conditions and cognitive and functional impairment at enrolment.
Sources of Recruitment
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
- Supplementary Information
-
All participants are community volunteers.
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | BLSA - Follow-up Men 80 years and older |
|
|
1958 | 2014 |
The population is composed of healthy men aged 20 to 59 years.
Selection Criteria
- Minimum age
-
20
- Maximum age
-
59
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
- Baltimore and Maryland
- Health Status
-
- Participants have to be free of major chronic conditions and cognitive and functional impairment at enrolment.
Sources of Recruitment
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
- Supplementary Information
-
All participants are community volunteers.
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | BLSA - Follow-up Men 20-59 years old |
|
|
1958 | 2014 |
The population is composed of healthy women aged 60 to 79 years.
Selection Criteria
- Gender
-
Women only
- Minimum age
-
60
- Maximum age
-
79
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
- Baltimore and Maryland
- Health Status
-
- Participants have to be free of major chronic conditions and cognitive and functional impairment at enrolment.
Sources of Recruitment
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
- Supplementary Information
-
All participants are community volunteers.
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | BLSA - Follow-up Women 60-79 years old |
|
|
1978 | 2014 |
The population is composed of healthy women aged 80 years and older.
Selection Criteria
- Gender
-
Women only
- Minimum age
-
80
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
- Baltimore and Maryland
- Health Status
-
- Participants have to be free of major chronic conditions and cognitive and functional impairment at enrolment.
Sources of Recruitment
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
- Supplementary Information
-
All participants are community volunteers.
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | BLSA - Follow-up Women 80 years and older |
|
|
1978 | 2014 |
The population is composed of healthy women aged 20 to 59 years.
Selection Criteria
- Gender
-
Women only
- Minimum age
-
20
- Maximum age
-
59
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
- Baltimore and Maryland
- Health Status
-
- Participants have to be free of major chronic conditions and cognitive and functional impairment at enrolment.
Sources of Recruitment
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
- Supplementary Information
-
All participants are community volunteers.
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | BLSA - Follow-up Women 20-59 years old |
|
|
1978 | 2014 |
Participating Studies
| Acronym | Name | Study design | Countries |
|---|
Harmonization Initiatives Included
| Acronym | Name |
|---|
Datasets
| Name | Data Collection Events | Variables |
|---|
Areas of Information Collected
- Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
- Death
- Lifestyle and behaviours
- Physical measures and assessments
- Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
- Laboratory measures
- Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
- Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
- Diseases
- Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
- Symptoms and signs
- Preschool, school and work life
- Medication and supplements
- Social environment and relationships
- Non-pharmacological interventions
- Physical environment
- Health and community care services utilization
- Administrative information
Variables Content Summary
Areas of Information Collected
Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event
Networks
| Acronym | Name | Harmonization Initiatives | Individual Studies |
|---|