![\"UConn](\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/dev-aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2017\/01\/Kumbar170224b059-768x512.jpg\" "\\"UConn")
\n\tEstablished in 1986, the Center on Aging supports a robust, nationally recognized research program focused on preventing or minimizing disability and promoting quality of life in aging adults. Our interdisciplinary and translational research develops a mechanistic understanding of disability, generates and tests innovative interventions, and trains future academic leaders in geriatrics and gerontology. Our research studies seek to develop more precise and individualized ways of maintaining function in late life by preventing mobility problems, fractures, pneumonia, and voiding and memory difficulties.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t
Our faculty conduct world-class research to improve function and independence in late life, supported by a research portfolio of more than $5 million per scientist. Their research skills include clinical, translational, basic, and health outcomes\/population research. This diversity allows the Center on Aging to continually enhance its research activities by monitoring the scientific progress of many relevant research disciplines and translating those discoveries from one discipline (e.g., basic research) to another (e.g., clinical investigation). We also work to translate discoveries made at academic institutions by validating them in “real world” community settings.<\/p>\n
Research studies conducted at the UConn Center on Aging are designed to:<\/strong><\/p>\n To join our mailing list to learn about UConn Center on Aging, Pepper Center events, and research study opportunities, call 860-679-3043<\/a>, email Lisa Pesce at kenyon-pesce@uchc.edu,<\/a> fill out the\u00a0Recruitment Volunteer Registry form<\/a>, or scan the QR code below:<\/p>\n UConn Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center Recruitment Volunteer Registry, IRB# 23-134-2.<\/em><\/p>\n\t This research study is looking at a novel treatment for older adults with memory or thinking difficulties that emerged or worsened after getting COVID-19. The treatment involves doing mentally stimulating “brain training’ exercises on a computer tablet to improve cognitive functioning. Participation takes approximately 43-48 hours over 7 months with most activities (40-46 hours) completed within the first 7-8 weeks which include the initial intake visit, computer activities, weekly remote check-in meetings, blood draws and three research visits.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: 2\/28\/2030<\/p>\n View Flyer<\/a><\/p>\n\t The purpose of this study is to identify the role of a state that occurs when there is an excess of free radicals (bursts of oxygen molecules which cause cellular stress) in the body’s cells on your vascular function (blood flow) to determine how these biological molecules change in response to “healthy aging”. Participants will have a total of 3 visits at UConn Health Center on Aging over the course of 4 months. Each study visit will last approximately three hours. Participants will be asked to provide blood samples, complete questionnaires about health history and medication history, height and weight will be measured, ultrasound, cognitive function and physical performance measures will be collected. This research will administer an antioxidant supplement, called MitoQ, to see if this will improve vascular function in older adults.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: TBD<\/p>\n View Flyer<\/a><\/p>\n\t The purpose of this study is to investigate how age-related declines in skin immunity relate to corresponding changes in the skin and its microbiome. Subject will participate in 2-4 study visits over 5 weeks. Skin (swab and micropatch at 7 skin sites) will be collected from participants to study the microbiome, immune profiling of interstitial fluid (ISF), and metabolomics. The seven skin sites will also be probed for skin physiologic metrics associated with frailty and aging.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: 2028<\/a><\/p>\n View Flyer<\/a><\/p>\n\t The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of ketone esters (a nutritional supplement) on strength, physical function, markers of healthy aging and inflammation, cognition, and mental wellbeing on adults aged 65 or older. Over the course of 20 weeks, participants will be asked to complete five study visits at the UConn Center on Aging and consume a ketone ester or placebo supplement daily. Study visits include blood and urine collection, questionnaires, and physical performance testing. Subjects will also be asked to complete interviews over the phone and wear a provided Fitbit wrist activity monitor.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Jeff Volek<\/p>\n John Newman<\/p>\nStudy Coordinator Study Enrollment End Date: 7\/2027<\/p>\n View Flyer<\/a><\/p>\n\t The purpose of this study is to learn how a computerized intervention may improve both cognition and mood in older adults who suffer from depression. Participation involves interviews and evaluations, testing of thinking and memory, and 30 hours of treatment over 4 weeks with one of two novel computerized interventions designed to improve both mood and cognitive symptoms often associated with depression.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: 4\/24\/2026<\/p>\n View Flyer<\/a><\/p>\n\t The purpose of the present study is to help address this public health crisis by determining whether computerized “brain-training” treatment has potential for improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of day-to-day functioning in older adults with Long COVID. There are two main aims of the present study. The first aim is to simply determine the “feasibility” of using brain-training treatment in older adults with Long COVID. This includes examining whether Long COVID patients are willing to engage in the treatment and whether they find the treatment acceptable and credible. The second aim is to gather preliminary data on whether the brain-training treatment appears to improve memory, thinking, mood, and other aspects of daily functioning in older adults with Long COVID.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: 4\/30\/2026<\/p>\n View Flyer<\/a><\/p>\n\t This new study is designed to help better understand how aging remodels the immune cells in the blood and affects the response to vaccines in older individuals. Participating does not include receiving a vaccination, but rather studying the immune system as we age. Participants who enroll will come for a single study visit where medical history and physical activity questionnaires are done and a blood sample collected. Participants must be between the ages of 20-35 or 65 years old and older. Participant compensation is provided.<\/p>\n Interested in learning more? 860-679-3043<\/a>.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: 2\/2026<\/p>\n\t Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have a high incidence, with well-documented negative effects on the quality of life of affected individuals. This study will look to see if a supplement, MitoQ, can improve bothersome bladder symptoms (including urgency, frequency, nocturia, and incontinence) that can occur with aging and metabolic syndrome.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: 2\/28\/2026<\/p>\n\t CHESS is an initiative of the CT Department of Social Services aimed at supporting CT state residents who have experienced homelessness and chronic health issues. UConn Center on Aging serves as the evaluator of this initiative. As part of the evaluation of CHESS, UConn Center on Aging team members complete baseline, 6-month and 12-month surveys with CHESS enrollees.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigators The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) has contracted with the UConn Center on Aging to collect annual satisfaction surveys, called the CoreQ, from residents and family members in every Medicaid-certified nursing home in Connecticut.<\/p>\n Study team members from UConn Center on Aging will annually visit each Medicaid-certified nursing home in the state and administer the CoreQ survey to a sample of eligible nursing home residents. Additionally, a sample of nursing home resident family members or resident representatives will be surveyed.<\/p>\n Learn more about the CoreQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n For questions, please email uconnnursinghomesurvey@uchc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n April 1, 2025 Connecticut Nursing Home CoreQ overview webinar slides<\/a>.<\/p>\n FAQs about the CoreQ survey administration process<\/a>.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigators The UConn Center on Aging study team is contracted with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services to conduct the annual National Core Indicator Survey. The survey is designed to provide DDS with DDS participants’ feedback on their experiences receiving support from the Department of Developmental Services and living their lives in the community.<\/p>\n For questions, please email dcharles@uchc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: Ongoing<\/p>\n\t Most people living with dementia (PLWD) prefer to remain at home in the community, yet research shows that they are less likely than people without dementia to successfully return to the community following nursing facility stays. This mixed methods study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, analyzes how different factors are driving disparities for PLWD and what potential policy solutions could improve health equity for PLWD, through in-depth interviews with individuals eligible for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program and their informal caregivers, focus groups and surveys with professionals involved in the MFP program, and statistical analysis of a large group of Connecticut Medicaid nursing facility residents.<\/p>\n Study team members are interviewing eligible participants and caregivers for one-on-one interviews about returning to the community after a nursing home stay. Study team members are also conducting focus groups and key informant interviews with professionals in the MFP program.<\/p>\n For questions, please email Christine Bailey at cbailey@uchc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigators Study Enrollment End Date: Aim 1 ended enrollment, Aim 2 actively ending enrollment<\/p>\n\t As part of the comprehensive Money Follows the Person program (MFP) quality management strategy, the UConn Center on Aging study team directly interviews participants or their representatives asking about their experiences in the year after transition through the MFP program. MFP consumers are interviewed at 1 month and 12 months post-transition to identify the quality of care and services each consumer experiences over the entirety of their time in the MFP program using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS CAHPS\u00ae) survey.<\/p>\nPrincipal Investigator Study Enrollment End Date: 12\/31\/2028<\/p>\n\n
Be A Part of Our Healthy Aging Initiatives<\/h2>\n\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2025\/05\/COA-Recruitment-Volunteer-Registry-QR-code-copy.png\")
<\/p>\nActively Recruiting Volunteers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t
Computerized Cognitive Remediation of Postviral Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Dr. Cutter Lindbergh
\nAssistant Professor
\nlindbergh@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinator
\n<\/strong>Holly Eddy, Ph.D., LMFT-S
\nClinical Research Assistant
\neddy@uchc.edu<\/a>\nMito-Frail Trial: Effects of MitoQ on Vasodilation, Mobility and Cognitive Performance in Frail Older Adults<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Oh Sung Kwon, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nohsung.kwon@uconn.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinator
\n<\/strong>Allison Laska
\nClinical Research Assistant
\nalaska@uchc.edu<\/a>\nSkin Immunity as a Function of Frailty, Aging, and Skin Microbiome Composition<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Julia Oh
\nAssistant Professor
\njoh@uchc.edu<\/a>\nJulie Robison, Ph.D.
\nProfessor
\njrobison@uchc.edu<\/a>\nSasan Jalili
\nAssistant Professor
\nsasan.jalili@jax.org<\/a>\nStudy Coordinators<\/strong>
\nAlba Santiago
\nClinical Research Associate
\nsantiago@uchc.edu<\/a>\nSarah Driscoll
\nClinical Research Assistant
\nsdriscoll@uchc.edu<\/a>\nTargeting Aging with a Ketone Ester for Function in Frailty (TAKEOFF)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Jenna Bartley
\nAssociate Professor
\njbartley@uchc.edu<\/a>\n
\n<\/strong>Deborah Noujaim
\nClinical Research Assistant
\ndnoujaim@uchc.edu<\/a>\nOngoing Studies, Closed to Enrollment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t
Cognitive Remediation of Executive Deficits in Geriatric Depression<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>David Steffens, M.D., M.H.S.
\nProfessor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry
\nsteffens@uconn.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinators
\n<\/strong>Jennifer Brindisi
\nClinical Research Assistant III
\nbrindisi@uchc.edu<\/a>\nFrances Jaynes
\nClinical Research Assistant I
\njaynes@uchc.edu<\/a>\nComputerized Cognitive Remediation of Long COVID Symptoms in Older Adults<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Dr. Cutter Lindbergh
\nAssistant Professor
\nlindbergh@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinators
\n<\/strong>Jennifer Brindisi
\nClinical Research Assistant III
\nbrindisi@uchc.edu<\/a>\nHolly Eddy, Ph.D., LMFT-S
\nClinical Research Assistant
\neddy@uchc.edu<\/a>\nHematopoietic Epigenetic Memory as a Driver of Inflammation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>George Kuchel, M.D.
\nProfessor
\nkuchel@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinator
\n<\/strong>Megan Wing
\nClinical Research Assistant
\nwing@uchc.edu<\/a>\nMito-LUTS: A Pilot Study of the Effect of MitoQ on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Older Women With Metabolic Syndrome<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Iman M. Al-Naggar, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nalnaggar@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinator
\n<\/strong>Heather McAbee-Sevick, R.N.
\nClinical Research Assistant
\nmcabeesevick@uchc.edu<\/a>\nOngoing Studies Not Enrolling From The Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t
Connecticut Housing Engagement and Support Services (CHESS) <\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Julie Robison, Ph.D.
\nProfessor
\njrobison@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinators
\n<\/strong>Kate Kellett
\nClinical Research Associate
\nkkellett@uchc.edu<\/a>\nAzucena Minaya
\nClinical Research Assistant 2
\nminaya@uchc.edu<\/a>\n\tCoreQ <\/strong>Nursing Home Satisfaction Survey<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Ellis Dillon, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nedillon@uchc.edu<\/a>\nJulie Robison, Ph.D.
\nProfessor
\njrobison@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinators
\n<\/strong>Sarah Driscoll
\nClinical Research Assistant II
\nsdriscoll@uchc.edu<\/a>\nDeb Migneault
\nClinical Research Associate II
\ndemigneault@uchc.edu<\/a>\n\tDepartment of Developmental Services: National Core Indicator (NCI) Survey<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Ellis Dillon, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nedillon@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinator
\n<\/strong>Doreek Charles
\nClinical Research Associate
\ndcharles@uchc.edu<\/a>\nIncreasing Successful Returns to Community Living From Nursing Facilities Through the Money Follows the Person Program<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Ellis Dillon, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nedillon@uchc.edu<\/a>\nJulie Robison, Ph.D.
\nProfessor
\njrobison@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinators
\n<\/strong>Christine Bailey
\nClinical Research Assistant 3
\ncbailey@uchc.edu<\/a>\nDeb Migneault
\nClinical Research Associate
\ndemigneault@uchc.edu<\/a>\nKate Kellett
\nClinical Research Associate
\nkkellet@uchc.edu
\n<\/a>\nMoney Follows the Person Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) CAHPS Survey<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Julie Robison, Ph.D.
\nProfessor
\njrobison@uchc.edu<\/a>\nStudy Coordinators
\n<\/strong>Martha Porter
\nClinical Research Associate
\nporter@uchc.edu<\/a>\nTherence James
\nClinical Research Assistant
\ntjames@uchc.edu<\/a>\n