Genetics of exceptional longevity

Centenarians exist at the extreme of life expectancy and are rare. A number of pedigree and molecular genetic studies indicate that a significant component of exceptional longevity is genetically influenced. Furthermore, the recent discovery of a genetic locus on chromosome 4 indicates the powerful potential of studying centenarians for genetic factors that significantly modulate aging and susceptibility to age-related diseases. These studies include siblings and children of centenarians. Siblings have a significantly increased propensity to achieve exceptional old age and have half the mortality risk of their birth cohort from young adulthood through extreme old age. The children of centenarians are emerging as a promising model for the genetic and phenotypic study of aging relatively slowly and the delay and perhaps escape of important age-related diseases. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.