NIA INTERVENTION TESTING PROGRAM SOLICITS PROPOSALS FOR COMPOUNDS TO 
TEST FOR ANTI-AGING ACTIVITY IN MICE

RELEASE DATE:  January 28, 2004

NOTICE:  NOT-AG-04-003

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
 (http://www.nia.nih.gov/)

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Interventions Testing Program 
(ITP) was established to investigate diets and dietary supplements 
purported to extend lifespan and/or delay the onset of disease and 
disability.  The NIA ITP tests such compounds in mice, using a variety 
of measured endpoints to assess the efficacy of interventions.  There 
are currently two sites, one at the University of Michigan and one at 
the Jackson Laboratory, with the potential for a third site to be 
incorporated this year.  In the first year, 4 compounds were accepted 
for study.

The ITP is designed as a collaboration between the study sites and the 
sponsors – the investigators who propose interventions for study.  The 
sponsor’s role is to provide the rationale for investigating the 
intervention, make recommendations on the dose, route and timing for 
administration of the intervention, and propose assays and measurements 
to document the efficacy of the intervention.  The sponsor will have 
access to all data developed from the treated mice, will assist in 
analysis of the data and will be a co-author on resulting publications.  
Proposals for specific interventions are reviewed by an Access Panel 
and accepted protocols are prioritized by the ITP Steering Committee.

The NIA ITP is soliciting proposals for compounds to enter the study in 
2004.  The next deadline for receipt of proposals is March 1, 2004.  
Information on the NIA ITP and guidelines for proposal development are 
posted at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/ResearchInformation/ScientificResources/
InterventionsTestingProgram.htm.  

Questions may be directed to Dr. Huber Warner, Associate Director, 
Biology of Aging Program (warnerh@nia.nih.gov , 301-496-6403) and Dr. 
Nancy Nadon (nadonn@nia.nih.gov , 301-402-7744).

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