MASS_Lifecourse (Muscle Ageing Sarcopenia Studies_Lifecourse) v1.0

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  MASS_Lifecourse: Establishing a life course cohort for advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia.

• IRAS ID

  246888

• Contact name

  Avan Sayer

• Contact email

  avan.sayer@newcastle.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 7 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and function with age. It has been recognised as an important health problem because it is common in older adults and associated with decline in physical function as well as a reduced quality of life. Sarcopenia can also lead to serious health consequences in terms of increased disability and the need for increased health and social care.

  There is considerable interest in understanding what causes sarcopenia in order to develop new approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. To gain a detailed understanding of sarcopenia across a range of ages, we have designed the Muscle Ageing Sarcopenia Study (MASS_Lifecourse) in collaboration with members of the public and patients.

  We aim to recruit 160 participants from Newcastle upon Tyne across an age range of 45-85 years from primary care, secondary care and the NIHR Bioresource. Participants will receive a home visit from a researcher to complete a detailed health profile. Participants will then be invited to attend a clinical visit at Newcastle’s Campus for Ageing and Vitality for imaging and muscle biopsy. A subsequent clinical visit will involve a fasting blood test, follow-up of the biopsy site and gather participants’ views about taking part in the study.

  The aims of the study:
  1. To determine if it is acceptable and feasible to recruit adults across a range of ages to undergo detailed studies of skeletal muscle including biopsy
  2. To understand how lifestyle is related to the characteristics of muscle
  3. To use advances in technology (an omics approach) to identify mechanisms of sarcopenia and biomarkers for early diagnosis
  4. To use findings from 2 and 3 to develop new approaches to treatment and also to invite participants to relevant trials
  5. To secure funding for maintaining and expanding the cohort

• REC name

  North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/NE/0220

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 Aug 2018

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion