The Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility Study (AGES) is a cross-sectional study to assess the relative contribution of candidate genes and interrelationships of diseases common in old age by reexamining the Icelandic Reykjavik Cohort established in 1967. This is a collaborative project between the Icelandic Heart Association and the NIA (funded under a contract mechanism). The target population is the 9,500 surviving members (now ages 65-94) of whom 8,000 will undergo a complete clinic examination and 1,500 of the very old or physically frail will undergo a modified examination in their home. Detailed health and medical information from previous examinations of the cohort as well as stored serum and other biologic specimens are available. Phenotypes of interest for the study include: neurocognitive conditions (dementia, depression, neurosensory profile), cardiovascular health (atherosclerosis, arterial distensibility, ventricular and valvular disease), musculoskeletal conditions (spine and hip osteoprosis, joint osteoarthritis, strength and function), and body composition and metabolic disease (obesity, sarcopenia, hyperglycemia, diabetes). The NEI has added an ocular component to the study which entails an acuity assessment and capturing digital images of the fundus and macular regions of the retina as taken through dilated pupils in both eyes. Of interest is the ability to estimate the prevalence of AMD and diabetic retinopathy phenotypes and to test hypotheses about candidate genes for these conditions, as well as to examine interrelationships between retinal microvascular changes in conjunction with other non-ocular phenotypes and the candidate genes associated with them. Study enrollment began in September 2002 and is expected to take 4 years to complete.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01EY000401-01
Application #
6683969
Study Section
(EPIB)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
U.S. National Eye Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code
Thorsteinsdottir, Ingunn; Aspelund, Thor; Gudmundsson, Elias et al. (2016) High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Is a Strong Predictor of Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in the AGES-Reykjavik Community-Based Cohort of Older Individuals. Clin Chem 62:623-30
Steingrimsdottir, Laufey; Halldorsson, Thorhallur I; Siggeirsdottir, Kristin et al. (2014) Hip fractures and bone mineral density in the elderly--importance of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. PLoS One 9:e91122
Jonasson, Fridbert; Arnarsson, Arsaell; EirĂ­ksdottir, Gudny et al. (2011) Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in old persons: Age, Gene/environment Susceptibility Reykjavik Study. Ophthalmology 118:825-30
Ikram, M Kamran; Sim, Xueling; Xueling, Sim et al. (2010) Four novel Loci (19q13, 6q24, 12q24, and 5q14) influence the microcirculation in vivo. PLoS Genet 6:e1001184
Qiu, Chengxuan; Cotch, Mary Frances; Sigurdsson, Sigurdur et al. (2009) Microvascular lesions in the brain and retina: The age, gene/environment susceptibility-Reykjavik study. Ann Neurol 65:569-76
Qiu, Chengxuan; Cotch, Mary Frances; Sigurdsson, Sigurdur et al. (2008) Retinal and cerebral microvascular signs and diabetes: the age, gene/environment susceptibility-Reykjavik study. Diabetes 57:1645-50
Harris, Tamara B; Launer, Lenore J; Eiriksdottir, Gudny et al. (2007) Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study: multidisciplinary applied phenomics. Am J Epidemiol 165:1076-87