Attachment 4 IDEAL Brochure

The Insight into the Determinants of Exceptional Aging and Longevity
(IDEAL) is a special project within the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
(BLSA). For over 50 years, BLSA researchers have studied changes that take
place in the human body over time in an attempt to better understand what
happens as people get older.
By launching IDEAL, researchers expand the scope of the BLSA, focusing on
a small but growing segment of the aging population known as “exceptional”
agers. Exceptional agers are 80 years or older, healthy, and have no physical
or cognitive limitations. Understanding what differentiates exceptional
agers from others their age may provide important clues on how to preserve
physical and cognitive function in late life and prevent disease and disability.
IDEAL plans to recruit 500 individuals age 80 or older who represent
exceptional agers. Participants will be evaluated annually to identify the
genetic, biologic and behavioral factors that promote healthy aging.
IDEAL is conducted by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of
the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Our aim is to learn the secrets to exceptionally healthy old age. What we
find may one day help reduce the burden and suffering of others.”
—Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Investigator, NIA, NIH

Help NIH researchers uncover some
of the secrets of healthy aging

ideal

Insight into Determinants of
Exceptional Aging and Longevity

IDEAL participants are 80 years or older and:
C
 an perform normal activities of daily living without any help
C
 an walk a quarter mile without pain or shortness of breath
H
 ave no severe memory or cognitive issues
H
 ave no major medical conditions, including no history of:

– cardiovascular disease
– diabetes
– active cancer
– metabolic disease
– severe hormonal dysfunction
– neurological or brain diseases
– kidney or liver diseases
– musculoskeletal disorders

Does this describe you
or someone you know?

Call 1-800-225-BLSA (2572).
30329.0111.88070101

– severe mental conditions
– severe gastrointestinal or
stomach diseases
– any medical condition that requires
chronic drug treatment, except
drugs for hypertension
– significant vision and
hearing problems

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVI
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administra
Center for Mental Health Services
www.samhsa.gov

National Institutes of Health

ideal

Insight into Determinants of
Exceptional Aging and Longevity

Help NIH researchers uncover some
of the secrets of healthy aging