Population genetic models in the study of aging and longevity in a Mennonite community.
This is a preliminary report on a 3-year multidisciplinary study of aging among historically and genetically related Mennonite congregations in Kansas and Nebraska. Three aspects of longevity and aging are examined: (1) the relationship of heterozygosity to survivorship using 8 genetic blood group loci, (2) changes in taste sensitivity with age using 14 dilutions of PTC; and (3) life span correlations among parents and offspring during a 100 year period. Heterozygosity was found to be independent of survivorship. No diminution in taste sensitivity to PTC was found with increasing age although a significant difference in PTC taste thresholds was found between males and females. No relationship was found between nontasters and individuals with a history of thyroid disease. Mother's life span was found to correlate more closely with daughter than any other familial correlation.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009329:Nebraska; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012424:Rural Population
D001789:Blood Group Antigens