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GENETICS OF SUCCESSFUL AGING (GenSA)
PITT RESEARCHERS STUDY GENETICS OF SUCCESSFUL AGING
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 27, 2000 -- A research study to identify and characterize genes that influence the human lifespan is underway at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
During the past several decades, the American population and especially that of western Pennsylvania has been living longer, leading to an increased interest in what leads to "successful" aging. Pitt researchers know genes play an important role in determining lifespan, and say that identifying these genes and learning how they operate will help doctors improve the quality of life for older people.
"This study has the potential to open new doors to aging research that will lead to improved understanding of the aging process and the development of age-related diseases by identifying and characterizing genes that promote or interfere with successful aging," said George S. Zubenko, M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and the study's principal investigator. "While successful aging is a complex matter that reflects the overall quality of life, longevity is an important part of successful aging. Our study defines successful aging as reaching age 90 without evidence of significant memory loss or impairment of thinking."
Information learned through the study, sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), may one day help doctors by providing "targets" for the treatment of disease. For example, explained Dr. Zubenko, if a specific gene is found to increase a person's risk of developing heart disease, cancer or Alzheimer's disease as they age, doctors will have advance warning that will allow them to provide early treatment, or even help prevent the development of that disease.
To qualify for the research study, participants must be at least 90 years of age. Participants are asked to describe their medical history and to donate a small amount of blood. There is no need to travel to the university to participate. Research nurses are available to perform interviews and obtain blood samples in the privacy of the participant's place of residence. Participants will be paid for their effort. All information is confidential. To participate, please call (412) 624-7873 or toll-free at 1-877-485-7568.
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