Newcastle 85+

In May 2006 a multidisciplinary team in the Institute for Ageing and Health at Newcastle University began a major groundbreaking study of the lives of those aged 85 years and older.
The study aimed to:

• Assess, in great detail, the spectrum of health in the oldest old.
• Examine the associations of health trajectories and outcomes with biological, clinical and social factors as the cohort ages.
• Identify factors which contribute to the maintenance of health and independence.
• Advance understanding of the biological nature of human ageing.

Eligible individuals will be all those who turn 85 during the year 2006 (i.e. born in 1921) and who are registered with a Newcastle or North Tyneside general practice. Participants will be visited in their current residence (own home or institution) by a research nurse at baseline, 18 months and 36 months. The assessment protocol entails a detailed multi-dimensional health assessment together with review of general practice medical records. Participants will be flagged with the NHS Central Register to provide details of the date and cause of death.

Last update: 17/01/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries United Kingdom
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 60 to 100
Brain related measures Cognitive function|Mental health
Funtional rating Individual physiological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood
Genotyping
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Family circumstances|Income and finances|Informal support|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names Newcastle University
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999

age at recruitment >85
last updated
recruitment period 2006
estimated current sample size number value 294
cohort acronym
start date 2006
pi Dr Rachel Duncan
website http://research.ncl.ac.uk/85plus/
contact details Professor Carol Jagger
Biogerontology Research Building,
Institute of Health and Society,
Newcastle University Institute for Ageing,
Newcastle University,
Campus for Ageing and Vitality,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE4 5PL.
abstract  Newcastle 85+ is a longitudinal study looking at the health of the oldest old. In May 2006 1,042 participants aged 85 and were registered with a Newcastle or North Tyneside general practice were recruited.
funders  Medical Research Council (MRC)
Biotechnology Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Dunhill Medical Trust
Newcastle University
contact email [email protected]
contact phone number +44 (0) 191 2081117
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 1042