A new study has found new genetic markers that are now known to be associated with exceptional longevity. The work was published in the journal Aging earlier this week from researchers at the University of Connecticut, University of Exeter, University of Wisconsin and University of Iowa.
The team studied DNA samples from 389,166 volunteers and found 17 more genes—in addition to the eight already found—that were linked to lifespan.
"We have identified new pathways that contribute to survival, as well as confirming others. These targets, including inflammatory and cardiovascular pathways, offer potentially modifiable targets to reduce [the] risk of an earlier death and improve health," said Luke Pilling, a researcher on the study.
The group found that genes related to senescence, inflammation and auto-immunity played roles in an extended lifespan. Therefore, the data concludes that many genetic variants combined influence human lifespan and no single gene variant was found to be responsible.
"This study help[s] open the way to novel treatment, but the strong role for genes affecting heart disease risk again underlines the importance of controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels throughout the lifespan. Of course, adopting healthy lifestyles is important, and can probably overcome the negative effects of most of the genes found so far," said group leader David Melzer.