The Longevity Genes in Founder Populations Project

Searching for Longevity Genes in the Historically Unique Ashkenazi Jewish Population

We believe extreme longevity is due to specific genes which function to delay aging and prevent disease. The purpose of our research is to identify the genes/mutations associated with healthier aging; to understand the biological functions of these genes/mutations; and to develop therapies to replicate these preservative genetic activities in individuals who do not have the genetic profile for longevity.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Extreme Longevity

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 1500

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Deborah Davidson, MBA; Phone Number: 718-430-3237; Email: longevity@aecom.yu.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02118-2526
      • Recruiting
      • Boston University Medical Center
      • Contact: Thomas Perls, MD, MPH; Phone Number: 617-638-7207
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10065
      • Recruiting
      • Weill Cornell Medical College
      • Contact: Todd Evans, MD; Phone Number: 646-962-8200
    • New York, New York, United States
      • Recruiting
      • Private Homes
      • Contact: Wanda I Guzman, BA; Phone Number: 718-430-3838; Email: WANDA.GUZMAN@EINSTEINMED.EDU
    • Riverdale, New York, United States, 10471
      • Recruiting
      • Hebrew Home Riverdale
      • Contact: Charlotte Dell, LMSW; Phone Number: 718-581-1139

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 63 years and older (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Ashkenazi Jews:

Ages 95 and older, their offspring and control group with no family history of longevity.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ashkenazi Jewish, age 95+,
• Offspring of person age 95+,
• Offspring of parents who died age 70 or younger.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-Ashkenazis

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Control
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Probands; Ashkenazi Jews ages 95 and older
Offspring; Ashkenazi Jewish offspring of Ashkenazi Jewish parent(s) who lived to at least the age of 95
Controls; Ashkenazi Jewish people with no family history of longevity

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Collaborators: National Institute on Aging (NIA); American Federation for Aging Research
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Nir Barzilai, MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Barzilai N, Gabriely I, Atzmon G, Suh Y, Rothenberg D, Bergman A. Genetic studies reveal the role of the endocrine and metabolic systems in aging. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Oct;95(10):4493-500. doi: 10.1210/jc.2010-0859. Erratum In: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jun 1;96(6):1908. Atzmon, Gil [added]; Suh, Yousin [added]; Rothenberg, Devorah [added]; Bergman, Aviv [added].

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 1998
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 27, 2008
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 30, 2008
• First Posted (Estimated): July 1, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 19, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 13, 2023
• Last Verified: December 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: 95 years of age and older
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1998-125; 2U19AG056278-07A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); 3U19AG056278-06S1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); P01AG021654 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)