Good Aging Genes Identified

The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, meeting on the Big Island, has heard a paper naming longevity genes. The professional organization of more than 700 scientists including three Nobel laureates is meeting through Wednesday at Hilton Waikoloa Village. "We focused on individuals who had reached at least 90 without significant decline in mental capacity," said George Zubenko of the University of Pittsburgh. "This definition of 'successful aging' can be determined objectively." Zubenko's team looked at 50 men and 50 women who met that definition, comparing their genes to adults, 18-25, matched for sex, race, ethnicity and locale. The study identified an increased frequency of the APOE E2 allele and a decreased frequency of the APOE E4 allele among the elders. 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.