Health and memory testing in families with exceptional longevity
Core B Phenotyping
This project follows multi-generation families with long lifespans using in-person exams, activity monitors, and genetic testing to learn why some relatives stay healthier and resist memory loss as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11096293 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or family members would join a long-term family study that collects detailed health measurements, memory and cognitive tests, and blood or saliva for genetic analysis across repeated clinic visits. Participants may wear accelerometers to track activity and take part in interviews about health, lifestyle, and medical history. Researchers use family trees and whole genome sequencing to find rare genetic variants and patterns that run in families protected from Alzheimer’s and other age-related declines. The work connects these measurements to trajectories of cognition, strength, and other aging traits to pinpoint possible protective factors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults from families with multiple long-lived relatives (offspring or grandchildren of exceptionally long-lived probands) who can attend in-person visits and provide samples and activity data.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate clinical treatment for Alzheimer's or urgent medical care should not expect direct therapeutic benefit from this observational genetics and phenotyping effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal genetic and lifestyle factors that help prevent Alzheimer’s and other age-related problems, guiding future prevention or treatment research.
How similar studies have performed: Previous Long Life Family Study publications and other family-based longevity research have identified rare protective variants and healthier aging patterns, though translating those findings into treatments is still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perls, Thomas T — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Perls, Thomas T
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.