Epidemiology and Aging Laboratory (LEPEN)

Lab coordinator: Tiago da Silva Alexandre, Ph.D.

The LEPEN contributes to the Aging research line of the PPGFT/UFSCar by publishing population-based epidemiological studies.

Research projects are funded by CNPQ and FAPESP (Projeto Jovem Pesquisador). LEPEN leads the International Collaboration of Longitudinal Studies of Aging (InterCoLAging); an international consortium of longitudinal studies involving the English Longitudinal Studies of Aging (ELSA Study), based at University College London (England); the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS Study), based at the University of Texas Medical Branch (USA); and the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI Study), based at the René Rachou Foundation.

Within InterCoLAging, undergraduate, Master's, and Ph.D. students conduct comparative analyzes regarding aging between Brazil, England, and the USA. In addition, InterCoLAging allows the integration of researchers from these three countries. A cooperation agreement between the LEPEN coordinator and the University College London also allows the exchange of students. Furthermore, this collaboration has resulted in publications by the lab coordinator, PPGFT/UFSCar students, and international partners, which increases LEPEN recognition.

LEPEN has been dedicated to longitudinal studies, with data ranging from 4 to 16 years of follow-up. The main interests of research are:
1) Dynapenic obesity and influences the incidence and trajectory of functional disability, decline in lower limb function, and reduced gait speed.
2) Dynapenic obesity and its influence on the trajectory of carbohydrate, lipid, vitamin D, and blood pressure metabolism disorders.
3) Determinants of frailty syndrome and its relationship with the incidence of disability and memory impairment.
4) Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency and their influence on the incidence of functional disability and reduced muscle strength.
5) Previous conditions and their effect on the trajectory of abdominal fat accumulation, reduction of muscle strength, and early mortality.
6) Diabetes and its influence on reduced muscle strength and memory decline.

Infrastructure: LEPEN has 20 m2, eight study tables with chairs, nine computers, one printer, nine STATA statistical packages, and STATA Transfer package.
@tiago_s_alexandre