| The Longitudinal Studies Section (LSS) is responsible for the operation and management of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). The BLSA offers a unique opportunity to study a number of NIA priorities in aging including functional disability (frailty), Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and menopause. As an example, the study of functional disability throughout the lifespan includes: 1) characterizing functional ability and individual changes over time, 2) the roles of disease, and individual behavior on such change, 3) the effects of individual choices in changing behavior, and 4) studying the neural and hormonal contribution to muscle homeostasis and maintenance of strength. In addition, the LSS has an active research program primarily based on the BLSA; from data collected from the participants, scientists perform research using both historical and newly collected data. |
