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Scientist Find Genes Associated with Reaching Age 90
with Sharp Mind
Dec. 12, 2005 Want to live to age 90 while
maintaining a sharp mind? Gene researchers say APOE E2 good, APOE E4
bad. Scientist who presented their findings related to reaching 90 with
preserved cognition today at the annual meeting of the American College
of Neuropsychopharmacology also identified novel genetic regions
associated with successful aging, including DYS389 and DYS390.
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The study, which was funded by the National
Institutes of Health and conducted at the University of Pittsburgh, is
among the first to identify genetic links to cognitive longevity.
"While successful aging has been defined in many
ways, we focused on individuals who had reached at least 90 without
significant decline in mental capacity," said lead researcher George S.
Zubenko, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Biological Sciences at the
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
"Not only is this a goal that many of us share,
this definition of 'successful aging' can be determined objectively and
consistently across subjects--an important requirement of scientific
studies."
While previous research found that genes make
important contributions to exceptional longevity, the goal of this study
was to identify regions of the human genome that contributed, along with
lifestyle factors, to reaching age 90 with preserved cognition.
The study involved 100 people age 90 and older with
preserved cognition, as measured by clinical and psychometric
assessments. Half of the subjects were male, half were female.
Using a novel genome survey method, scientists
compared the DNA of the study sample with that of 100 young adults, aged
18-25 years old, who were matched for sex, race, ethnicity and
geographic location.
Specifically, Dr. Zubenko and his research team
attempted to identify specific genetic sequences present in older
individuals that may be linked to reaching older ages with preserved
cognitive abilities, or conversely, specific genetic sequences present
in younger individuals (and not present in those over age 90) that may
impede successful aging.
The study also looked at a variety of lifestyle
factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, with the goal of
eventually exploring the interactive effects of genes and lifestyle on
successful aging.
As expected, the study identified an increased
frequency of the APOE E2 allele and a decreased frequency of the APOE E4
allele among the elders compared to the group of young adults.
These gene variants confer protection and risk,
respectively, of Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia
in late life.
The study also identified novel genetic regions
associated with successful aging, including DYS389 and DYS390, some of
which affected men or women, but not both.
"Historically women have lived longer than men on
average, the prevalence of numerous serious diseases differs in men and
women, and there are important differences in age-related physiological
changes that occur between the sexes over the life span," said Dr.
Zubenko.
"It would not be surprising if the collection of
genes that influences the capacity to reach old age with normal mental
capacity differs somewhat for men and women." The results of the study
also highlighted the detrimental effects of cigarette smoking and
excessive drinking on successful aging in both sexes.
"The finding that genetics, lifestyle decision
making, and their interactions, may influence the ability to reach old
age with preserved cognition is exciting," stated Dr. Zubenko.
"Identifying such genetic and behavioral factors
may hold promise for better understanding the aging process and perhaps
one day enriching or extending the lives of other individuals."
About source:
ACNP is holding its Annual Meeting December 11-15,
2005, in Waikoloa, Hawaii.
ACNP, founded in 1961, is a professional
organization of more than 700 leading scientists, including three Nobel
Laureates. The mission of ACNP is to further research and education in
neuropsychopharmacology and related fields in the following ways:
promoting the interaction of a broad range of scientific disciplines of
brain and behavior in order to advance the understanding of prevention
and treatment of disease of the nervous system including psychiatric,
neurological, behavioral and addictive disorders; encouraging scientists
to enter research careers in fields related to these disorders and their
treatment; and ensuring the dissemination of relevant scientific
advances. A non-profit organization, ACNP receives revenues from a
variety of sources including membership dues, publication sales,
registration fees, and pharmaceutical industry grants.
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