Biochemistry biomarker data now available

    Thursday, November 1, 2018

    The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is pleased to announce the release of biochemistry biomarker data for comprehensive cohort participants from the baseline biospecimen collection.  Approximately 400,000 biochemistry test results from approximately 27,000 participants are now available for researchers to use.

     The 15 biomarkers include:

    • Albumin
    • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
    • Cholesterol
    • C-reactive protein (CRP)
    • Creatinine
    • Ferritin
    • Free thyroxine (free T4)
    • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
    • High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
    • Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
    • Triglycerides
    • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D

    Calculated parameters:

    • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
    • Non-HDL
    • eGFR

    These common biomarkers were selected from a curated list of biomarkers relevant to mechanisms related to the aging process and for many diseases of aging.  Subsequent data collection follow-ups will include measurement of the majority of these core biomarkers creating a unique longitudinal record to facilitate the investigation of a wide range of research questions.

    Changes to the core biomarker will reflect the importance of these biomarkers for aging studies balanced by cost to perform these analyses. For Follow-up 1, two new biomarkers will be added, N-terminal pro- B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin-T (TnT), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D will be removed.

    The CLSA further anticipates that investigator-driven analyses on stored biospecimens will add to CLSA’s biomarker inventory, increasing the value of the CLSA as a one-of-a-kind Canadian resource to support state-of-the-art-research in the field of health and aging.

    The CLSA is a national cohort study of aging funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The initiative is led by Dr. Parminder Raina of McMaster University, Dr. Christina Wolfson of McGill University and Dr. Susan Kirkland of Dalhousie University.

    Calgary Laboratory Services, an accredited clinical laboratory, performed all analyses.

    To learn how to access CLSA data, visit our Data Access Application page.