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What is the TAME Trial?

What is the TAME Trial?

The TAME Trial Aims to Drive Progress in Longevity Medicine

Whether you’re new to the longevity space or consider yourself an expert, chances are you’ve heard of the TAME Trial. But what is it exactly? Perhaps an even more critical question, however, considers the implications of TAME, and what it might mean for the future of Metformin and longevity.

Simply defined, the TAME Trial stands for the Targeting Aging with Metformin Trial. TAME is a national set of clinical trials aimed at examining the effects of Metformin on individuals with age-related chronic diseases. The study, led by American Federation of Aging Research (AFAR) Scientific Director Nir Barzilai, MD, will take place at fourteen sites across the country, engaging more than 3000 individuals between the ages of 65-79.

While much of the anti-aging community is well aware of the benefits of Metformin as a treatment for age-related diseases, the FDA does not currently recognize aging as a treatable disease. The main goal of the TAME trial is to encourage the FDA to approve aging as an “indication,” thus recognizing aging as a disease that can be “treated.” An indication, in medical terms, refers to the use of a drug in the treatment of a particular condition.

If aging is ultimately recognized as an indication, then it is possible that Metformin, which is already approved as a treatment for diabetes, will receive the official nod from the FDA for use in defense of age-related illness. More importantly, it becomes possible for longevity medicine to begin thinking and working towards therapeutic care for aging generally, rather than individual age-related disease.

Needless to say, we’re thrilled to see such a large-scale, national trial of this caliber taking shape. Feedback from participants, the results, and more will be key to advancing longevity science for generations to come.

Learn more about the TAME trial, as well as concurrent studies, via the American Federation for Aging Research. You may also donate in support of the research, or sign-up for participation in the trials at AFAR.org/tame-trial.