Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength that happens with aging, affecting about 10% of adults over 60. It raises the risk of falls, fractures, and loss of independence. Current treatment focuses on resistance exercise and adequate protein intake, but no drugs are approved specifically for sarcopenia.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) that aim to build muscle without testosterone's side effects, myostatin inhibitors that block a protein limiting muscle growth, and ghrelin mimetics that may increase appetite and muscle mass. Researchers are also studying combination approaches pairing exercise with drugs, and biomarkers to catch sarcopenia earlier.
Myostatin inhibitors
Myostatin is a protein that puts a brake on muscle growth. Drugs that block it have shown muscle gains in animal studies, and several are now in human trials for sarcopenia and related conditions.
SARMs
Selective androgen receptor modulators aim to mimic testosterone's muscle-building effects while avoiding prostate and heart risks. Several are in mid-stage trials, though regulatory questions remain about long-term safety.
Bimagrumab
This myostatin antibody showed significant muscle mass increases in earlier trials. Studies are testing whether those gains translate to better strength and function in older adults with sarcopenia.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on age (usually 65 or older), measured muscle mass or strength below certain thresholds, and ability to participate in exercise testing.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing medications that aim to build or preserve muscle mass, often combined with exercise programs.
- Exercise trials — Comparing different resistance training approaches to find what works best for older adults losing muscle.
- Nutrition trials — Testing protein supplements, amino acids, or vitamin D to see if they slow muscle loss when combined with exercise.
- Combination trials — Pairing an investigational drug with structured exercise to see if the combination works better than either alone.
- Biomarker studies — Following people over time to identify blood tests or imaging markers that predict who will develop severe sarcopenia.
Recently added Sarcopenia trials
Share medical data to advance understanding of incontinence in aging
The aim of this cross-sectional observational study is to examine the independent associations of urinary incontinence severity and post-void residual urine volume with frailty and other geriatric outcomes in older adults presenting to a urology outpatient clinic with urinary incontinence.
Feasibility of Egg White Pudding Supplementation for Individuals in Personal Care Home Centres Needing Dietary Supplementation
This trial is an open-label randomized controlled parallel arm feasibility trial. 54 residents in care homes receiving nutrition supplementation (minimum 40% of each sex, ≥ 50 years of age). Participants will receive the egg white pudding (experimental) or a standard currently provided dietary supplement (control) on a daily basis and will be advised to follow any dietary recommendations they receive from their care team. Participants will be recruited at personal care homes throughout Winnipeg. Study visits will take place with a study coordinator at baseline and at 8 weeks (endpoint). Product acceptability will be assessed through dietary logs. This study has been reviewed and approved by The Committee for Harmonized Health Impact, Privacy, and Ethics Review (CHIPER).
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