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Epigenetics in the Aging Process
NCT00242255 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
This study will examine the role of epigenetics (heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in DNA sequence) in the aging process. DNA is the primary genetic material, responsible for transmitting information from one cell to the next or from one generation to the next. A second layer of heredity is described by the term "epigenetics." Epigenetic information is reset from one generation to the next. It works in two ways: 1) by modification of the DNA, like balloons stuck at irregular intervals onto the sides of the DNA helix that encodes genes, and 2) through specialized protein shells that wrap around some regions of DNA. As in DNA, these shells can copy themselves and can transmit instructions. Because they are used to turn genes on and off, errors in their settings cause critical misinformation to be transmitted. Aging involves many changes, such as muscle weakening, graying hair, skin wrinkling, and so forth. There are several current theories of aging, including damage to genes by oxidation, shortening of tiny structures at the ends of chromosomes called telomeres, and the ability to stretch lifespan with caloric restrictions. This study will investigate the possible role of epigenetics in aging by examining and comparing the shell-like epigenetic settings in skin cells in young adults and older individuals. Preliminary results from earlier studies show differences in these settings in younger and older people. Women between the ages of 21 and 30 years and 65 and 90 years who are undergoing breast reduction or mastectomy at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, may participate in this study. Tissue removed during surgery for pathological examination will also be used by researchers in this study to validate the preliminary findings noted above and to continue studies into the new area of epigenetics and aging. ...
Conditions Studied
Study Locations (4)
Maryland
- Suburban Hospital — Bethesda
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike — Bethesda
District of Columbia
- GW University Medical Center — Washington D.C.
Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 90 participants |
| Start Date | 2008-09-23 |
| Est. Completion | 2021-02-05 |
Sponsor
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)237 total trials
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT00242255
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT00242255 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as an unspecified phase, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 90 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which has 237 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Aging appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 0 interventions. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT00242255 reports 4 study locations spanning 3 distinct geographic areas — top geographies include Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT00242255 about?
NCT00242255 is a clinical study titled "Epigenetics in the Aging Process". This study will examine the role of epigenetics (heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in DNA sequence) in the aging process. DNA is the primary genetic material, responsible for transmitting information from one cell to the next or from one generation to the next. A second ...
What is the current status of trial NCT00242255?
This trial is currently completed. The enrollment target is 90 participants. The study started on 2008-09-23. Estimated completion is 2021-02-05.
What conditions does trial NCT00242255 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Aging. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT00242255?
This trial is sponsored by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which has 237 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT00242255 being conducted?
This trial has 4 study locations across District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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