Sheba Researchers Awarded $6 Million for Ovarian Longevity Study
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Sheba Medical Center researchers have received a $6 million grant from the Nuttall Foundation to conduct a three-year study on ovarian function and its link to aging. The OASIS study will follow 650 women aged 40-70 to understand the ovary's role beyond fertility. Researchers aim to identify early indicators of aging and potentially develop interventions to improve women's health in later life.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Sheba Medical Center researchers received a $6 million grant for a study on ovarian function and aging.
- The OASIS study will track 650 women aged 40-70 over three years.
- New research suggests the ovary plays a role in aging beyond its reproductive function.
- The Nuttall Foundation, focused on women's health, provided the grant.
- The study aims to identify early aging indicators and improve women's health.
A team of researchers at Sheba Medical Center has received a significant $6 million grant to lead the OASIS (Ovarian Secretome and Integrated Health Span) study. This three-year initiative will investigate the role of the ovary beyond fertility, exploring its potential connection to aging and overall health. The study will follow two groups of women: 650 participants aged 40-50, who are in the midst of menopausal changes, and those aged 60 and above, who have seemingly completed this transition.
Previously considered a declining organ after its reproductive function ceases, new research suggests the ovary remains active and may hold keys to understanding the aging process. The OASIS study aims to track changes in ovarian function and its impact on health span, particularly in women experiencing or having experienced menopause. Researchers will examine hormonal secretions and other factors that may influence aging.
The grant was awarded by the American Nuttall Foundation, established by Amy and Scott Nuttall, which focuses on advancing women's health research. The foundation is managed by Professor Michal Alonivitz, a leading researcher in the field from the University of Pennsylvania. The Sheba research is led by Professor Laurent Patrick, director of the Center for Metabolomics and Molecular Characterization, and Dr. Abigail Goshen, director of the Healthy Longevity Research Institute.
This research aligns with a growing trend in the longevity community to re-examine the ovary's role. Recent findings have indicated that the ovary continues to secrete hormones and other factors that interact with various bodily systems, including the brain, cardiovascular system, and skeleton, even after menopause. The study will also explore early signs of inflammation linked to the ovary post-fertility, which is associated with aging diseases, suggesting the ovary might be an early indicator of the body's overall aging rate.
Researchers hope that by mapping changes in ovarian function during the 40-50 age group, they can identify women at higher risk for more severe menopausal transitions and implement early interventions to improve health in later life. Dr. Goshen noted a public demand for understanding menopausal processes, stating that "there is more public discourse than actual research" on the topic. Professor Patrick added that historical clinical studies often excluded women or failed to account for differences in their reproductive stages, highlighting the need for more targeted research.