Genome survey for loci that influence successful aging: sample characterization, method validation, and initial results for the Y chromosome.
OBJECTIVE
A systematic genome survey was initiated to identify loci that affect the likelihood of reaching age 90 with preserved cognition. This communication describes the clinical characterization and comparison of the experimental groups, validation of the experimental method, and results for the Y chromosome.


METHODS
The genome survey was conducted at 10 cM resolution for simple sequence tandem repeat polymorphisms (SSTRPs) that identify genes for successful aging by virtue of linkage disequilibrium. Efficiency was enhanced by genotyping pools of DNA from 100 cognitively intact elders (50 men/50 women) and 100 young (age 18-25 years) adults matched for sex, race, ethnicity, and geographic location.


RESULTS
Elders (94 nonagenarians, 6 centenarians) manifested preserved cognition, as reflected by clinical and psychometric assessments; "good" average capacity to carry out their activities of daily living; and the majority were living independently despite multiple medical conditions. None had a history of mental disorders in early or middle adulthood, only one was a current smoker, and 80% consumed alcohol less than once each month. The genome survey method detected the expected elevation of the APOE epsilon2 allele frequency, and reciprocal reduction in the epsilon4 frequency, among the elders, compared with the young adults. It also detected significant differences in the allelic distributions of DYS389 and DYS390, which are separated by only 2.6 Mb near the centromere of Yq.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that several behavioral and genetic factors may contribute to the likelihood of achieving exceptional longevity with preserved cognition.
Zubenko
George S
GS
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. zubenkog@pitt.edu
Stiffler
J Scott
JS
Hughes
Hugh B
HB
Fatigati
Mario J
MJ
Zubenko
Wendy N
WN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D016678:Genome; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D004247:DNA