Investigating the genetics of exceptional longevity in families
The Long Life Family Study
The Long Life Family Study is looking at families who live a long time to find out what genes help them age healthily, and if you join, you'll get to share your health information to help researchers learn more about staying strong and sharp as we get older.
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-10788974 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The Long Life Family Study focuses on families with exceptional longevity to understand the genetic factors that contribute to healthy aging. Participants undergo extensive in-home assessments to measure various health traits related to aging, including cognitive performance and physical strength. The study aims to identify rare genetic variants that may protect against conditions like Alzheimer's disease through whole genome sequencing. By analyzing these families, researchers hope to uncover insights that could lead to improved health outcomes for older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals from families known for exceptional longevity, particularly those who are healthy and aging well.
Not a fit: Patients with no familial history of longevity or those already diagnosed with severe age-related diseases may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the genetics of longevity, making this study a continuation of successful approaches in the field.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Province, Michael a. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Province, Michael a.
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.