The TIME Study: Unveiling the Rhythms of Human Health
The Temporal Investigation of Multimodal Elements (TIME) study is a groundbreaking research endeavor designed to understand the intricate rhythms of human biology. Just as the Earth has cycles of day and night, and the tides ebb and flow, our bodies also operate on complex biological rhythms. These rhythms influence various aspects of our health, from hormone levels to metabolism to cognitive function.
What is the TIME study?
The TIME study is a 10-week observational study that will recruit 125 generally healthy individuals over the age of 55.
These TIME Travelers will undergo intensive data collection, including:
- Blood draws: Multiple times per day and weekly to analyze molecular components like proteins, metabolites, lipids, and gene expression.
- Digital health devices: Continuous monitoring of activity levels, sleep patterns, heart rate, and other physiological measures using wearable devices.
- Cognitive assessments: Regular online brain assessments to track cognitive function and brain health.
TIME Travelers will undergo controlled perturbations to observe how these challenges affect biological rhythms.
Controlled Perturbations
In the TIME study, we use "controlled perturbations" to gain a deeper understanding of how biological rhythms work. A perturbation is simply a disturbance or a challenge that we introduce, and "controlled" means we do it in a specific, measured way. For the TIME study, this involves an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and an exercise test on a stationary bike (VO2 max test).
Think of it like mechanics trying to understand how a car engine works. They might rev the engine, put it under load, or even introduce a small malfunction to see how it responds. By observing the engine's reactions to these perturbations, a mechanic can identify potential issues and learn how different components interact.
Similarly, in the TIME study, we use OGTTs and exercise tests to "poke" the body's systems and observe how its biological rhythms respond. This helps us understand how factors like food intake and exercise affect molecular processes, hormone levels, and overall physiological function.
Controlled Perturbations
In the TIME study, we use "controlled perturbations" to gain a deeper understanding of how biological rhythms work. A perturbation is simply a disturbance or a challenge that we introduce, and "controlled" means we do it in a specific, measured way. For the TIME study, this involves an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and an exercise test on a stationary bike (VO2 max test).
Think of it like mechanics trying to understand how a car engine works. They might rev the engine, put it under load, or even introduce a small malfunction to see how it responds. By observing the engine's reactions to these perturbations, a mechanic can identify potential issues and learn how different components interact.
Similarly, in the TIME study, we use OGTTs and exercise tests to "poke" the body's systems and observe how its biological rhythms respond. This helps us understand how factors like food intake and exercise affect molecular processes, hormone levels, and overall physiological function.
Leadership
James Yurkovich, PhD
Research Assistant Professor, Buck Institute
Chief Technology Officer, Phenome Health
Brianna Stubbs, PhD
Director of Translational Science, Buck Institute
