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Aging, HealthyCHRONONCT07203196

Circadian Health Regulation and Optimization for Rejuvenation Outcomes

A study testing Circadian Rhythm Optimization in people with Aging, Healthy and Blood Sugar; High, run by Salk Institute for Biological Studies at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

In this single arm intervention trial, the investigators will assess the impact of a personalized lifestyle plan, centered on supporting biological rhythms, on blood sugar levels, physical, cognitive and immune function in older adults with a habitual eating window of 12 hours or more, and elevated blood glucose… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 50 to 80 years
What is being tested?
Circadian Rhythm Optimization
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
16 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
22 Oct 2025to 1 Apr 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 50 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age: 50-80 years
  • Fasting glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL or HbA1c > 5.6%
  • Own a smartphone (Apple iOS or Android OS)
  • Proficient in reading and speaking in English
  • An eating window ≥12 hour/day
  • Willing to travel to sports facilities for exercise training sessions
  • Participants on cardiovascular medications (HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), metformin, SLGT2 inhibitors, GLP1 receptor agonists other lipid-modifying drugs (including over-the counter drugs such as red yeast rice and fish oil), anti-hypertensive, drugs), are allowed if on a stable dose for 6-months, but dose adjustments are not allowed during the study

Who cannot join

  • Insufficient dietary logging on the mCC app during screening, defined as less than 7 of 14 days of baseline of dietary logging with a minimum of 2 items a day, at least 5 hours apart
  • Type 1 Diabetes or Insulin-dependent Type 2 Diabetes
  • HbA1C > 9.0%
  • Use of sulfonylurea or insulin within the last 3 months (due to unknown safety with TRE)
  • Change in medications that could impact study outcomes within the past 6 months
  • Change in weight of >4kg in the past 3 months
Show all 31Show fewer
  • Systolic BP greater than 160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP greater than 110 mmHg at rest
  • Fasting LDL cholesterol greater than 250 mg/dL
  • Fasting triglycerides greater than 500g/dL
  • Variable work hours, such as working night shifts
  • Caregiver for a dependent requiring frequent nocturnal care/sleep interruptions
  • Active tobacco use, illicit drug use, or history of treatment for alcohol abuse in the past 5 years.
  • Travel involving a time zone change of more than 3 hours twice or more during the study period
  • Active treatment for inflammatory and/or rheumatologic disease
  • History of a major adverse cardiovascular event within the past year (acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, hospitalization for congestive heart failure, stroke/transient ischemic attack)
  • Uncontrolled arrhythmia (i.e. rate-controlled atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter are acceptable)
  • Previously diagnosed with sever aortic stenosis
  • Previously diagnosed with sever COPD (FEV1/FVC ratio <.7 \& FEV1 (%predicted) <49
  • Orthopedic impairments severely compromising exercise performance
  • BMI <18.5 kg/m2
  • History of thyroid disease requiring dose titration of thyroid replacement medication(s) within the past 6 months (i.e. hypothyroidism on a stable dose of thyroid replacement therapy is not an exclusion).
  • History of adrenal disease in the past 5 years
  • History of malignancy undergoing active treatment, except non-melanoma skin cancer, in the past 5 years
  • History of an eating disorder in the past 5 years
  • History of cirrhosis in the past 5 years
  • History of stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease or dialysis in the past 5 years
  • History of HIV/AIDs
  • Currently enrolled in weight-loss or weight-management program
  • Regularly engages in 100 minutes or more of structured exercise
  • VO2 max threshold is above average for that individuals age group [78]
  • Uncontrolled psychiatric disorder including prior hospitalization

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of California San Diego

    La Jolla, California, 92037

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Circadian Health Regulation and Optimization for Rejuvenation Outcomes: The CHRONO Study

In this single arm intervention trial, the investigators will assess the impact of a personalized lifestyle plan, centered on supporting biological rhythms, on blood sugar levels, physical, cognitive and immune function in older adults with a habitual eating window of 12 hours or more, and elevated blood glucose levels.

All participants will be provided with a personalized circadian rhythm optimization plan (CRO) centered on improving (1) diet, (2) exercise (3) sleep habits based on their body's natural rhythms. The study includes a 2-week screening/baseline assessments, with follow-up health assessments at 2-months.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this study is to assess if modifying lifestyle behaviors such as improving nutrition quality while consolidating caloric intake to a consistent 8-10 hour window, incorporating regular exercise and ensuring a consistent sleep window will help improve glucose (sugar) regulation, physical, cognitive and immune function and improve other markers of metabolic, cardiovascular health and aging (i.e. lipid levels, inflammation markers, etc.).

Circadian clocks ("circa" means approximately and "dia" means day) are daily rhythms in physiology and behavior (activity, sleep, eating pattern) that help the body anticipate and adapt to predictable events in the environment. These rhythms are generated and maintained by biological clocks that are present in the brain and almost every organ. Remarkably, even in the absence of any timing information from a device, the human body can keep track of time and thereby help us eat and sleep at optimum times. However, our lifestyle and work schedules can lead us to eat, exercise, and sleep at times that the clocks in our body are not prepared for. When these abnormal daily patterns continue for several weeks or years, it can affect our health in many ways including increased body weight, poor sleep, and elevated risk for various chronic diseases.

A growing body of preclinical research has shown that synchronizing behaviors, such as food intake, exercise, and light exposure, with the body's biological clock improves skeletal muscle function, cognitive performance, and inflammatory markers. Clinical studies have further validated these findings, showing that circadian-based interventions, such as time-restricted eating (TRE), which restricts all caloric intake to a personalized consistent daily eating window, daytime light exposure and exercise have been shown to improve mood, sleep quality and cardiometabolic health. Despite these promising individual findings, no study has comprehensively examined the combined effects of TRE, structured exercise and optimized sleep schedule as an integrated strategy to restore circadian alignment and reverse key physiological markers of aging in older adults.

In this study, the investigators are interested in evaluating the effects of modifying eating, activity and sleeping patterns on age related health outcomes in older adults with elevated blood sugar levels. All participants will be provided with a personalized circadian rhythm optimization (CRO) program centered on (1) consuming a Mediterranean diet within a personalized 8-10-hour daytime window, (2) increasing daytime light exposure and reducing bright light at night, (3) incorporating 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week (4) holding a consistent 7-9 hour sleep schedule (5) taking supplements based on individual needs.

The study is 90-days including a 2-week screening/baseline assessment followed by a 2-week period to developed their personalized plan based off their baseline assessments and finally a 8-week guided intervention period. Health assessments will be taken at screening/baseline, and at 90 days. Assessments will include cognitive function (cognitive assessment battery), physical function (VO2 Max, isometric strength, short physical performance battery), dietary recall (ASA24), blood tests (biomarkers of cardiometabolic health and immune parameters), glycemic regulation (Continuous Glucose Monitors), body composition ( bioelectrical impedance scan), dietary intake (logged on the myCircadianClock smartphone app), sleep and quality of life questionnaires, and activity, sleep, and wrist temperature (actigraphy watch) and subclavian and ankle surface temperature (non-invasive temperature sensor).

Being tested
Circadian Rhythm Optimization
Keywords
Time restricted eating, healthy aging, circadian disruption
Medical subject headings
Hyperglycemia, Intermittent Fasting, Chronobiology Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Circadian Rhythm OptimizationBehavioural

    Participants will follow a Mediterranean diet while consuming all calories within a personalized 8-10 hour daytime window. They will increase daytime light exposure to at least one hour per day, engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week (including at least two sessions lasting no less than 60 minutes), maintain a consistent 7-9 hour sleep schedule, and take supplements as recommended based on individual needs. Participants will also record all food and beverage intake, as well as exercise, using the myCircadianClock app.

Study groups in NCT07203196
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Circadian Rhythm OptimizationExperimentalEach participant will be provided with a personalized plan centered on synchronizing their behavior with their endogenous rhythm.
Receives: Behavioral: Circadian Rhythm Optimization

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. HbA1c (%)

    HbA1c levels (%) as assessed by fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

Secondary outcomes (58)
  1. Grip Strength

    Maximal grip force (Kg)

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  2. Isometric Knee Strength

    Maximal force output for knee flexion and extension (Kg)

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  3. VO2 Max

    Maximal oxygen consumption (mL/kg/min).

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  4. Time to 85% of Age Predicted Maximal Heart Rate

    Time to 85% of age predicted maximal heart rate (mins).

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  5. Flanker Inhibitory and Control and Attention Test (Fully-Corrected T-score)

    Flanker Inhibitory and Control and Attention Test (Fully-Corrected T-score) assessed through NIH cognitive assessment battery. The score compares an individual's cognitive performance to a nationally representative norming sample correcting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  6. Dimensional Change Card Sort (Fully-Corrected T-score)

    Dimensional Change Card Sort (Fully-Corrected T-score) assessed through NIH cognitive assessment battery. The score compares an individual's cognitive performance to a nationally representative norming sample correcting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  7. Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test (Fully-Corrected T-score)

    Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test (Fully-Corrected T-score) assessed through NIH cognitive assessment battery. The score compares an individual's cognitive performance to a nationally representative norming sample correcting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  8. Picture Sequence Memory test (Fully-Corrected T-score)

    Picture Sequence Memory test (Fully-Corrected T-score) assessed through NIH cognitive assessment battery. The score compares an individual's cognitive performance to a nationally representative norming sample correcting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  9. Trail Making Test

    Trail making test part A and B will be assessed by the time to completion (seconds) for each assessment.

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  10. Glucagon (pg/mL)

    Glucagon (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  11. Leptin (ng/mL)

    Leptin (ng/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  12. IL-1α (pg/mL)

    IL-1α (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  13. IL-1β (pg/mL)

    IL-1β (pg/mL)assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  14. IL-2 (pg/mL)

    IL-2 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  15. IL-3 (pg/mL)

    IL-3 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  16. IL-4 (pg/mL)

    IL-4 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  17. IL-5 (pg/mL)

    IL-5 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  18. IL-6 (pg/mL)

    IL-6 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  19. IL-7 (pg/mL)

    IL-7 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  20. IL-8

    IL-8 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  21. IL-9 (pg/mL)

    IL-9 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  22. IL-10 (pg/mL)

    IL-10 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  23. IL-12p70 (pg/mL)

    IL-12p70 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  24. IL-13 (pg/mL)

    IL-13 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  25. IL-15 (pg/mL)

    IL-15 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  26. IL-16 (pg/mL)

    IL-16 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  27. IL-17A (pg/mL)

    IL-17A (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  28. IL-17F (pg/mL)

    IL-17F (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  29. IL-18 (pg/mL)

    IL-18 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90-days

  30. IL-20 (pg/mL)

    IL-20 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  31. IL-21 (pg/mL)

    IL-21 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  32. IL-22 (pg/mL)

    IL-22 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  33. IL-23 (pg/mL)

    IL-23 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  34. IL-27 (pg/mL)

    IL-27 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  35. IL-28 (pg/mL)

    IL-28 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  36. IL-33 (pg/mL)

    IL-33 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  37. MCP-1 (pg/mL)

    MCP-1 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  38. MCP-2

    MCP-2 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  39. MCP-3 (pg/mL)

    MCP-3 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  40. MCP-4 (pg/mL)

    MCP-4 (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  41. TGFα (pg/mL)

    TGFα (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  42. TNFβ (pg/mL)

    TNFβ (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  43. EGF (pg/mL)

    EGF (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  44. TNF-α (pg/mL)

    TNF-α (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  45. Ghrelin (pg/mL)

    Ghrelin (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90-days

  46. IGF-1 (ng/mL)

    IGF-1 (ng/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  47. IGF-2 (ng/mL)

    IGF-2 (ng/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  48. IL-1RA (pg/mL)

    IL-1RA (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  49. TRAIL (pg/mL)

    TRAIL (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  50. VEGF-A (pg/mL)

    VEGF-A (pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  51. IGFBP-1 (ug/mL)

    IGFBP-1 (ug/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  52. GIP (pg/mL)

    GIP(pg/mL) assessed through fasting blood draw

    Measured: Baseline and 90-days

  53. GLP-1 (pmol/L)

    GLP-1 (pmol/L) assessed through fasting blood draw.

    Measured: Baseline and 90 days

  54. Total Recall (T-score)

    Total Recall (T-score) as assessed through Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised. T-score is adjusted for participant's age.

    Measured: Baseline and 90-days

  55. Delayed Recall (T-score)

    Delayed Recall (T-score) as assessed through Hopkins Verbal Learning Test. T-score is adjusted for participant's age.

    Measured: Baseline and 90-days

  56. Retention Percentage (T-score)

    Retention Percentage (T-score) as assessed through Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised. T-score is adjusted for participant's age.

    Measured: Baseline and 90-days

  57. Recognition Discrimination Index (T-score)

    Recognition discrimination index as assessed through Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised. T-score is adjusted for participant's age.

    Measured: Baseline and 90-days

  58. Cognition Fluid Composite (Fully-Corrected T-score)

    Cognition Fluid Composite (Fully-Corrected T-score) as assessed through a composite score of several tests, namely the Flanker inhibitory control and attention test, the dimensional change card sort test, the picture sequence memory test, the list sorting working memory test, and the pattern comparison processing speed test. The score compares an individual's cognitive performance to a nationally representative norming sample correcting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.

    Measured: Baseline and 90-days

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted2 Oct 2025
  2. Study start22 Oct 2025
  3. Primary completion1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Apr 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
16 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07203196
Sponsor's protocol ID
812811
Acronym
CHRONO
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
12 Sep 2025
Last updated
31 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Investigators will report deidentified individual participant data for outcomes that are reported in scientific publications (text, tables, figures, and appendices).

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Circadian Rhythm Optimization in people with Aging, Healthy and Blood Sugar; High, run by Salk Institute for Biological Studies at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 31 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

HbA1c (%) (time frame: Baseline and 90 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Dec 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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