A -- Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility - Reykjavik Study II

The National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, intends to negotiate with the Icelandic Heart Association, Reykjavik, Iceland for a seven-year cost reimbursement, completion type research contract to study diseases in old age and their related genetic susceptibility. This is a unique scientific opportunity to take advantage of an established epidemiologic cohort on which extensive mid-life data was obtained, and on which an initial, extensive characterization of the fast-changing diseases of old age has been done in AGES-RS. The major focus of AGES-RSII will be a re-examination of all surviving AGES-RS participants with the aim of characterizing change in neurocognitive, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic traits at the oldest ages. AGES-RSII will test hypotheses related to: (1) change within and between key quantitative measures, (2) outcomes including incident dementia, fractures, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, sarcopenia, and change in physical function, and (3) integrative factors, such as inflammation, that may be shared by multiple outcomes. The authority for this sole source action is 41 USC 253 (c )(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1. This organization has the prerequisite knowledge, experience, and facilities for the completion of this proposed acquisition by reason of its preliminary and current work on this project. This is NOT a Request for Proposal. See Numbered Note 22.****