Long-lived families reveal a rare genetic clue to healthy aging
Key takeaways
- Some remain free of major diseases well into old age, while others develop serious health problems much earlier.
- Although life expectancy has risen dramatically over the past 200 years, the number of years people spend in good health has not increased at the same pace.
- Most previous studies have focused on the genetics of individual people who live long lives.
Why this matters: new research or scientific developments with potential real-world impact.
People age differently. Some remain free of major diseases well into old age, while others develop serious health problems much earlier. Understanding why this happens is becoming increasingly important as populations grow older around the world.
Although life expectancy has risen dramatically over the past 200 years, the number of years people spend in good health has not increased at the same pace. Researchers have long known that exceptional longevity (longevity) often runs in families and is linked to a later onset of chronic illnesses. However, the genetic factors that help protect these families remain poorly understood.
Most previous studies have focused on the genetics of individual people who live long lives. New research being presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics in Gothenburg suggests that studying entire long-lived families may provide a clearer picture of the biological mechanisms that support a longer healthspan. (A person's healthspan is the number of years they live free from chronic disease and cognitive decline).