New England Centenarian Study
Encyclopedia
The New England Centenarian Study is a study of persons aged 100 and over (centenarian
s) in the Boston area. It is one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious studies in the USA
and the world.
The study began in 1994 and was originally focused on research into Alzheimer's
. However, it soon became apparent that most centenarians did not have Alzheimer's even though other forms of dementia
were common. So it transitioned into finding out why some people can live to 100 and others don't. Some findings included that centenarians had natural advantages, including large blood-platelet size. Studies for genes managed to identify only one major gene associated with longevity.
Researchers are now investigating more detailed genetic analysis including epigenetics
. Formerly located at Harvard University
, the Study is now located at Boston University
and led by Dr. Tom Perls
.
In 2006, an offshoot, the New England Supercentenarian
Study, was begun.
A study of gene tests of hundreds of centenarian
s reported in July 2010 that genetics plays an extremely important role in deciding who reaches that age. Centenarians rarely develop diseases of aging, and are more likely to bounce back from diseases. Led by Perls, the study was funded by the National Institute on Aging
's Division of Geriatrics
and Clinical Gerontology
.
Centenarian
A centenarian is a person who is or lives beyond the age of 100 years. Because current average life expectancies across the world are less than 100, the term is invariably associated with longevity. Much rarer, a supercentenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 or more, something only...
s) in the Boston area. It is one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious studies in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the world.
The study began in 1994 and was originally focused on research into Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
. However, it soon became apparent that most centenarians did not have Alzheimer's even though other forms of dementia
Dementia
Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging...
were common. So it transitioned into finding out why some people can live to 100 and others don't. Some findings included that centenarians had natural advantages, including large blood-platelet size. Studies for genes managed to identify only one major gene associated with longevity.
Researchers are now investigating more detailed genetic analysis including epigenetics
Epigenetics
In biology, and specifically genetics, epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence – hence the name epi- -genetics...
. Formerly located at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, the Study is now located at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
and led by Dr. Tom Perls
Tom Perls
Dr. Tom Perls is the founding director of the New England Centenarian Study. Once based at Harvard University, the study is now based at Boston University.Perls is also the author of the online Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator...
.
In 2006, an offshoot, the New England Supercentenarian
Supercentenarian
A supercentenarian is someone who has reached the age of 110 years. This age is achieved by about one in a thousand centenarians....
Study, was begun.
A study of gene tests of hundreds of centenarian
Centenarian
A centenarian is a person who is or lives beyond the age of 100 years. Because current average life expectancies across the world are less than 100, the term is invariably associated with longevity. Much rarer, a supercentenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 or more, something only...
s reported in July 2010 that genetics plays an extremely important role in deciding who reaches that age. Centenarians rarely develop diseases of aging, and are more likely to bounce back from diseases. Led by Perls, the study was funded by the National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Aging
The National Institute on Aging ' is a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health , located in Baltimore, Maryland.The NIA leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life...
's Division of Geriatrics
Geriatrics
Geriatrics is a sub-specialty of internal medicine and family medicine that focuses on health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician, or...
and Clinical Gerontology
Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging...
.
See also
- Research into centenariansResearch into centenariansA centenarian is a person who has attained the age of 100 years or more. Research on centenarians is becoming increasingly widespread with clinical and general population studies now having been conducted in France, Hungary, Japan, Italy, Finland, Denmark, the United States, and China. Centenarians...
- Okinawa Centenarian StudyOkinawa Centenarian StudyThe Okinawa Centenarian Study is a study of the elderly people of Okinawa, Japan. The study, funded by Japan's ministry of health, is the largest of its kind ever carried out...
- CentenarianCentenarianA centenarian is a person who is or lives beyond the age of 100 years. Because current average life expectancies across the world are less than 100, the term is invariably associated with longevity. Much rarer, a supercentenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 or more, something only...
- SupercentenarianSupercentenarianA supercentenarian is someone who has reached the age of 110 years. This age is achieved by about one in a thousand centenarians....
- GerontologyGerontologyGerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging...
- AgeingAgeingAgeing or aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline...