Understanding how early life experiences affect lifespan in great apes and humans
Great apes and the evolutionary origins of long life: the influences of early life adversity on lifespan and individual frailty in wild chimpanzees and gorillas
This project looks at how early life challenges influence how long chimpanzees and gorillas live, helping us understand human aging better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund I NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192902 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our remarkable human ability to live long lives varies greatly among people, and this project aims to uncover why. We know that experiences early in life play a big role in how long both humans and other species live. By observing wild chimpanzees and gorillas, our closest relatives, we hope to learn how early life difficulties and resilience shape their lifespans in different environments. This comparison helps us understand the deep evolutionary roots of aging and how early life events impact health and longevity in humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients interested in the evolutionary origins of human longevity and the long-term effects of early life experiences on health may find this research relevant.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments or direct participation in a human clinical trial will not find direct benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand the fundamental causes of aging and how early life experiences influence human health and lifespan, potentially leading to new ways to promote healthy aging.
How similar studies have performed: Comparative studies using animal models have successfully provided insights into human biology and disease mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund I — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcfarlin, Shannon C — Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund I
- Study coordinator: Mcfarlin, Shannon C
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.