SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT THE ZASSA

Due to the demographic shift towards an aging society, prevalence and impact of age-related illnesses increase. The goal of our research team is to understand how these illnesses can be prevented and treated in order to maintain health and well-being in advancing age. Both in our clinical and scientific work, we aim to support older adults to promote a high quality of life well into old age.

Scientific research is an important cornerstone of university hospitals, as it enables the collection and dissemination of systematic information that can directly be embedded in clinical practice.

On the following pages, you will find an overview of the work of our research team.

The primary goal of our scientific research is the promotion of health and well-being well into late life. For this purpose, we operate on a translational approach, meaning that scientific methods and clinical structures are closely interlinked. The ZASSA’s geriatric network enables systematic and encompassing epidemiological, clinical, biochemical, imaging and health service studies. The data collection is performed by an interdisciplinary team, and in addition to the patients in our clinics we include external hospitals, GP practices, nursing homes and other health care facilities, as well as community-dwelling older adults and caregivers. In the long run, we aim to not only understand disease-specific factors, but instead identify overarching predictors for healthy aging and resilience. These factors can directly be implemented in our clinical practice.

A key area of geriatric research are biological mechanisms of aging, so-called Hallmarks of Aging. These dictate age-related illnesses and must be analysed in depth to comprehend and modify the aging process in the human body. For early detection of these illnesses, we for example analyse senescence blood markers to uncover vulnerabilities and predictors. 

Likewise, at the ZASSA, we put strong emphasis on the psychosocial aspects of aging (Social Hallmarks of Aging). In addition to socioeconomic status and education, adverse life events and circumstances can strongly influence the course of aging. Like biological mechanisms, psychosocial factors are closely linked with physical and cognitive functioning in advancing age. Therefore, our research aims to bridge the association between biological and social dimensions of ageing. Factors like loneliness, depressive mood, expectations or stereotypes regarding ageing, and self-management determine our health and well-being as much as biological mechanisms do.