Projects per year
Organization profile
Organisation profile
HISTORY
Existing collaboration between the Gerontology (GERO) Department of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Clinical Department of Geriatrics (UZ Brussels) has led in 2007 to the creation of the Frailty in Ageing (FRIA) research group for both fundamental and clinical research on frailty in the elderly. FRIA conducts a focussed research program on Frailty.
DEFINITION
Frailty is a complex geriatric syndrome characterised by a state of increased vulnerability at higher age. Frail elderly subjects show several clinical manifestations such as sarcopenia (muscle atrophy), dynapenia (muscle weakness), fatigue, sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, cognitive decline and disability in activities of daily life. Frailty is a typically unstable condition, which can be aggravated by a multitude of triggers of clinical (disease, trauma, etc) and psychosocial (life events) origin.
RESEARCH PROGRAM
FRIA conducts a comprehensive research program to untangle the underlying mechanisms and to develop interventions for prevention and rehabilitation of frailty in the aged. Within the comprehensive research program, research lines with a Bio-Psycho-Medical focus and a Psycho-Socio-Policy focus can be distinguished. Given the multidisciplinary character of Frailty, most of FRIA's research projects are conducted within both research areas.
Bio-Psycho-Medical focussed research lines
The common focus in Bio-Medical research projects conducted by FRIA is the skeletal muscle and inflammation as key-elements in the Frailty syndrome. Central theme of FRIA's Bio-Medical research is the triad sarcopenia (age-related muscle atrophy) - dynapenia (muscle weakness) – inflammation (SDI):
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Identification and assessment of the triad SDI: Body composition in elderly; Epidemiology of sarcopenia and low-grade inflammation; Critical threshold values for muscle performance in the elderly
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Untangling the underlying mechanisms of the triad SDI: Central and local mechanism contributing to inflammation-induced muscle weakness in the aged; Role of Advanced Glycation End Products in the development of Sarcopenia; Cell Senescence
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Prevention and treatment of the triad SDI: Immuno-protective effects of physical activity in the aged; Physical training and gen regulation of immunosenescence; Treatment strategies for muscle weakness and muscle atrophy
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Other aspects related to the triad SDI: The role of physical exercise in the prevention & treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Psycho-Socio-Policy focussed research lines
The Psycho-Social research lines conducted by FRIA are focussed on:
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Motivators and Barriers for physical activity at higher age,
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Early detection and treatment of MCI & Alzheimer's disease
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Active Ageing
Fingerprint
Network
Profiles
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Ivan Bautmans
- UZBrussel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Research in Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Gerontology - Academic
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - UZB Researcher
- Frailty in Ageing
Person: Researcher, Professor, Administrative/technical staff
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David Beckwée
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy - Academic
- Frailty in Ageing
- Rehabilitation Research
Person: Researcher, Professor
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Ingo Beyer
- UZBrussel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Gerontology - Academic
- Research in Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Frailty in Ageing
- Geriatrics - UZB Physician
Person: Researcher, Physician, Guest professor
Projects
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AIIFUND72: To validate circulating biomarkers identifying loss of intrinsic capacity and frailty status in older persons.
1/01/21 → 31/12/22
Project: Fundamental
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FWOTM1023: Fatigue and Stroke Recovery (FaStR): Trajectories of Sleep, Physical Activity & Inflammation as Potential Mediators. A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
Scheys, E., Swinnen, E., Beckwée, D., Aerenhouts, D. & Njemini, R.
1/11/20 → 31/10/22
Project: Fundamental
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OZR3589: Bilateral cooperation within the framework of a joint doctoral project: benchfee for joint PhD VUB - UGent, VELLA AZZOPARDI Roberta
18/04/17 → 17/04/21
Project: Fundamental
Research output
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A Comprehensive Overview of Activities of Daily Living in Existing Frailty Instruments: A Systematic Literature Search
Costenoble, A., Knoop, V., Vermeiren, S., Vella, R. A., Debain, A., Rossi, G., Bautmans, I., Verté, D., Gorus, E. & De Vriendt, P., 2021, In : The Gerontologist. 61, 3, p. 12-22 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Measures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Results of Two Consecutive Online Surveys
Ditekemena, J. D., Mavoko, H. M., Obimpeh, M., Van Hees, S., Siewe Fodjo, J. N., Nkamba, D. M., Tshefu, A., Van Damme, W., Muyembe, J. J. & Colebunders, R., 4 Mar 2021, In : International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18, 5, 12 p., 2525.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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A new technique to investigate the role of Heat Shock Proteins in senescent T-cells and Immunosenescence
Njemini, R., Bautmans, I., Verhaeghen, K. & Mets, T., 2021.Research output: Unpublished contribution to conference › Poster
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Application of ultrasound for muscle assessment in sarcopenia: 2020 SARCUS update
Perkisas, S., Bastijns, S., Baudry, S., Bauer, J., Beaudart, C., Beckwée, D., Cruz-Jentoft, A., Gasowski, J., Hobbelen, H., Jager-Wittenaar, H., Kasiukiewicz, A., Landi, F., Małek, M., Marco, E., Martone, A. M., de Miguel, A. M., Piotrowicz, K., Sanchez, E., Sanchez-Rodriguez, D., Scafoglieri, A. & 4 others, , 2 Jan 2021, In : European Geriatric Medicine.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
5 Citations (Scopus) -
Approche eLearning pour le renforcement des capacités des professionnels de santé en Guinée : une expérience post-Ebola
Millimouno, T. M., Delamou, A., Kourouma, K., Kolié, J. M., Manet, H., Thoupia Baldé, A., Habib Béavogui, A., Roegiers, S., Garcia, M., Kiyan Tsunami, C., Van Damme, W. & Delvaux, T., 17 Mar 2021, In : Sante publique (Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France). 32, 5, p. 537-548 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Activities
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Effects of delayed surgergy for hip fracture patients: characteristics and outcome.
Siddhartha Lieten (Contributor), Annika Herrtwich (Contributor), Bert Bravenboer (Contributor), Sven Van Laere (Contributor), Thierry Scheerlinck (Contributor), Tony Mets (Contributor), Johan Vanlauwe (Contributor)26 Feb 2021 → 27 Feb 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference
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BVGG-SBGG Wintermeeting 2021
Siddhartha Lieten (Participant), Nicolas Maréchal (Visitor), Nathalie Compte (Visitor)26 Feb 2021 → 27 Feb 2021Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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Feasibility study using continous glucose monitoring (Dexcom G6) in geriatric patient.
Jille Myriam Gelders (Contributor), Siddhartha Lieten (Contributor), Tony Mets (Contributor), Bert Bravenboer (Contributor)26 Feb 2021 → 27 Feb 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference
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The Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS): case report and review of the literature.
Dieter Duhamel (Contributor), Aziz Debain (Contributor), Bert Bravenboer (Contributor), Tony Mets (Contributor), Siddhartha Lieten (Contributor)26 Feb 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference
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Physical activity, inflammation, T-cell phenotypes and pre-frailty in the oldest old: first results from the BUTTERFLY-study
Emelyn Mathot (Speaker), Veerle Knoop (Contributor), Aziz Debain (Contributor), Axelle Costenoble (Contributor), Rose Njemini (Contributor), Ivan Bautmans (Contributor)26 Feb 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference