ACTIVE
Aging, chronic diseases, technology, disability, and environment.

Details
Université de Bordeaux – ISPED
146 rue Léo-Saignat
33076 BORDEAUX cedex
Objectives
Most of the researches conducted within the ACTIVE team aim at studying:
- intrinsic capacities of individuals and environmental factors contributing to develop / maintain/ reduce functional capacity in the context of acute/chronic disease, disability, and/or old age; and
- innovative strategies based on the optimization of such factors. The team is composed of epidemiologists, psychologists, cognitive scientists, geriatricians, physical therapists, neurologists and a psychiatrist.
Research area
It investigates to what extent intrinsic capacity and environments contribute to develop / maintain / reduce functional ability. Functional trajectories associated with aging process are studied through a continuum distinguishing robustness, pre-frailty, frailty, and activity limitation.
We examine their determinants through a multidimensional approach considering intrinsic capacities (cognition, depression, sensory impairments, personality traits…) and environmental factors (family support, social network, (un)adapted home, professional assistance, digital technologies) that may influence the sequence and speed of functional deterioration.
The heterogeneity of these trajectories is explored in several prospective population-based and clinical studies (PAQUID, AMI, 3C, CONSTANCES, COGLOC…).
More recently, taking advantage of the ongoing cohort studies, the PA-COVID survey, set up very shortly after the first COVID-19 lockdown in France, aims at providing valuable knowledge on older adults’ social and psychological experiences of the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on cognitive, mental and functional health.
The second research axis coordinated by Hélène Sauzéon focuses on innovative strategies based on the optimization of individuals’ intrinsic capacity and/or environments.
As an example of strategies based on optimized environments, the French Alzheimer village is an experimental accommodation facility for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease built like a traditional village.
The team is currently conducting an ambitious multidimensional research program evaluating whether this innovative model is relevant compared to traditional nursing homes (see below). Other researches involve interventions relying on digital technologies.
They generally address two main health issues: rehabilitation access and patient agentivity (i.e., active role of the patient).
2025 Key publications
Adolphe M, Pech M, Sawayama M, Maurel D, Delmas A, Oudeyer P-Y, Sauzeon H. Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in individualized cognitive training: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2025;20(6):e0316860. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316860
Boucaud-Maitre D, Rouch I, Amieva H, Dartigues J-F, Dorey J-M, Tabue-Teguo M. Comparison of neuro-psychiatric disorders between older adults living in foster families or nursing homes. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):7918. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92962-1
Boucaud-Maitre D, Simo-Tabue N, Pic O, Letchimy L, Villeneuve R, Rambhojan C, Vainqueur L, Rinaldo L, Drame M, Dartigues JF, Amieva H, Tabue-Teguo M. Comparison of mortality and hospitalisation rates amongst older adults residing in professional foster families versus nursing homes: two parallel observational studies. Age Ageing. 2025;54(10). https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf304
Duclos NC, Barat P, Goncalves S, Sorita E, Jamal K. Exploring Unsupervised Home-Based Exercise Therapy in Chronic Post-Stroke Individuals: A Scoping Review. NeuroRehabilitation. 2025;57(4):423-34. https://doi.org/10.1177/10538135251388472
Gbessemehlan A, Proust-Lima C, Letenneur L, Amieva H, Peres K. Healthy aging: how does a multidimensional construct of functional ability predict objective and subjective outcomes? BMC Geriatr. 2025;25(1):727. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06328-3
Husky MM, Leon C, Vasiliadis H-M. Increases in suicidal thoughts disclosure among adults in France from 2000 to 2021. J Affect Disord. 2025;371:54-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.11.042
Linard M, Garrigue I, Vellas B, Coley N, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Ashton NJ, Payoux P, Salabert A-S, Dartigues J-F, Mazere J, Andrieu S, Helmer C. Association between herpes simplex virus infection and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers: analysis within the MAPT trial. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):2362. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84583-x
Pitteu C, Lepere P, Poisson P, Guillaud E, Doat E, Glize B, Dehail P, Cassoudesalle H. A custom-made mouthguard reduces head acceleration during soccer heading and prevents acute electrophysiological and cognitive changes in amateur male players. EBioMedicine. 2025;115:105674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105674
Rouch I, Koleck M, Edjolo A, Peres K, Laurent B, Dorey J-M, Dartigues J-F, Amieva H. Baseline Chronic Pain Intensity and Long-Term Depressive Symptoms in French Older Community-Dwelling Adults: A 12-Year Prospective Cohort Study. Eur J Pain. 2025;29(10):e70159. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70159
Simon Y, Gbessemehlan A, Letenneur L, Helmer C, Ouvrard C, Bergua V, Amieva H, Peres K. How the combined approach of subjective and functional health improves the early identification of the older adults at risk of adverse events? Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2025;137:105934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2025.105934
Last News
Symposium “Research on the Biology and Diseases of Ageing in Bordeaux”
Evènement
THESIS DEFENCE : Matisse POUPARD
Evènement
HDR Defense : Noémie DUCLOS
Evènement
Public Health Seminars : DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING APPROACH FOR THE USE OF MOTORISED WHEELCHAIRS FOR PEOPLE WITH COGNITIVE DISABILITIES
Seminars
ACTIVE team PhD students defend their theses in 2024
Evènement
Installation ceremony of the senior members of the Institut Universitaire de France
Awards & nominations
10th and 11th of October took place the Annual Days of the PPR Autonomie
Non classé
Virgilio Hernandez-Ruiz joined the Lancet Commission on "HIV and Aging"
Awards & nominations
Research stay of Helen Maria Vasiliadis from the University of Sherbrooke: Epidemiological Approach of mental health across different life stages
News
ACTIVE Team General Assembly 2024
Events
Hélène AMIEVA
laureate of the 2024 selection of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF)
Awards & nominations
ACTIVE Ph.D students in the spotlights
News
General Assembly of the ACTIVE team
Events
The ACTIVE team celebrates the Village Landais Alzheimer Henri Emmanuelli annual festival
Events
Linking the European Alzheimer Villages: The ACTIVE team meets the Italian Alzheimer Village
Focus
Invitation of Prof Sylvie Nadeau, physiotherapist at the Readaptation School of Montreal University
Seminars
Les têtes au football
PressMembers
AmievaHelene
Full Professor in Psychogerontology, Team leaderAnthounetCamille
Ingénieure d'étudesAuriacombeSophie
AVILA-FUNESJosé Alberto
BerguaValérie
Maitre de conférences en PsychogérontologieBlanchardCécile
BoucheAmélie
Doctorante en Psychologie de la SantéCASSOUDESALLEHélène
MCU-PH en Médecine Physique et de RéadaptationCavaroFrançois
BiostatisticienDartiguesJean-francois
de SezeMathieu
DehailPatrick
DelleciClaire
DESVAUX Chloé
Doctorante en Sciences CognitivesDuclosNoémie
Maître de conférencesDupuyLucile
Maitre de conférences en Sciences CognitivesFAIDHERBEVirginie
Doctorante en épidémiologieFoubert-SamierAlexandra
Neurologue, praticien hospitalier, chercheur équipe ACTIVEGERBIERAlice
PsychogérontologueGlizeBertrand
MCU-PHGUEDIRIAmine
Attaché temporaire d'enseignement et de rechercheGUILLOUVirginie
Doctorante en Psychologie de la SantéHamelinSolange
Assistante ingénieurHebrardLouis
Doctorant en Psychologie de la SantéHelmerCatherine
Directrice de Recherche InsermHernandez RuizVirgilio
PhD candidate / GeriatricianHuskyMathilde
Professeur de Psychologie Clinique et PsychopathologieIzacMargaux
PhD studentKoleckMichèle
Maître de conférences en psychologie de la santéKrierDamien
Doctoral studentLetenneurLuc
Chargé de Recherche INSERMLOYALDeborah
Maitresse de Conferences en Psychologie de la SantéMazonCécile
Maitre de conférences en Sciences CognitivesMéndez RamirezPatricia
Ingénieure d'études BiostatisticienneMoucheboeufGeoffroy
médecin PH chercheurNKaouaBernard
OUVRARD-BROUILLOUCamille
Maître de conférencesPellicheroAlice
Maitre de conférences associéePérès-BouchetKarine
Chargée de recherche Hors ClassePICOcéane
Epidémiologiste / BiostatisticiennePoissonPhilippe
DocteurRascleNicole
Professeur de Psychologie de la santéROSAYMorgane
Doctorante en psychogérontologieRouchIsabelle
Médecin PH en santé publiqueSAGEMarie Hélène
Assistante AdministrativeSaint-MartinHélène
Psychologue neuropsychologue, Doctorante en épidémiologieSauzeonHélène
ProfessorSendraMarie
Doctorante en PsychogérontologieSimonYvanna
Doctorante en EpidémiologieSoritaEric
MCF associé -Chercheur associéTabue TeguoMaturin
TahanKerem
WiartLaurent