Researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch have quietly initiated one of the most unique anti-aging studies in recent history. They are seeking participants aged 55 to 70 in Texas for this study.
The “Moody Longevity Trial” will test whether Tirzepatide – a drug already FDA-approved for weight loss and sold under brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound – can do something far more ambitious: slow down biological aging.
“Biological age” reflects how your cells and organ systems are actually functioning – and the two numbers don’t always match. UTMB researchers will now reportedly use advanced “biomarkers” to measure whether Tirzepatide moves that biological needle.
“Aging is the root cause of the biggest killers: heart disease, cancer, and dementia,” said Dr. Thomas Blackwell, a geriatrics specialist leading the trial. “If we can slow down the biological aging process, we can add not just years to life but healthy years. This trial is a bridge to future breakthroughs that could transform how we live.”
Participants will receive tirzepatide for 24 weeks, followed by a 12-week observation period after they cut off the medication. Beyond measuring biological age, researchers will also track physical performance, mood, mobility, and markers of inflammation, aiming to paint a full picture of what healthy aging actually looks like.
“This is about more than weight loss,” said Dr. Matthew Mendoza, assistant director of Team Science at UTMB. “We are using therapies already available to accelerate discovery rather than waiting decades for new drugs. Our goal is to make healthy aging a reality sooner.”
Tirzepatide works differently from other drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. While those drugs act on one hormone receptor, tirzepatide targets two – GLP-1 and GIP – making it a “dual-action therapy.”
The Dallas Express has previously covered how GLP-1 medications like Zepbound and Ozempic can change users’ relationship with food in unexpected ways, from altering taste buds to more drastic changes in diet habits over time. However, the “anti-aging” angle for this class of drugs has now drawn attention from the tech world and some very unique and eclectic online demographics.
In January of 2025, Bryan Johnson – the tech entrepreneur and Netflix subject who has made a public spectacle of his anti-aging pursuits under his “Project Blueprint” protocol – told reporters that he spends an estimated $2 million annually to try to reverse his biological age.
Johnson himself added that he experimented with microdosing Tirzepatide as part of his “longevity” regimen, though he later stopped after tracking adverse changes to his heart rate and sleep quality.
“Everyone ages, so this research matters to all of us,” said Dr. Alan Landay, vice president of Team Science at UTMB. “We want people to live longer and better – with vitality, independence, and resilience.”
Who Can Enroll In The New UTMB Study
Adults ages 55 to 70 may qualify if they have a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with a condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Participants must be on stable medications for at least 12 weeks and cannot currently use insulin or be pregnant.
Enrollment is now open. Those who are interested in the “anti-aging” study can contact UTMB’s Clinical Research Center.
