Understanding genetic factors leading to exceptionally long life
Become part of Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Institute for Aging Research study.
Help us better understand healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases.
With funding from the National Institute of Aging and the Glenn Foundation, Dr. Nir Barzilai is leading the research project to determine the role of genes in exceptional longevity.
Hear more from Dr. Barzilai
Phase 1 Findings
- Longevity is highly correlated to high HDL ("good") and low LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels
- Mutations in cholesterol genes are associated with longevity and the prevention of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease
- Mutations in a growth hormone gene is associated with longevity
- Subjects with a certain genetic makeup live on average 4 years longer than those without
- Longevity is highly likely to be inherited from generation to generation
Longevity Genes Project Website
Longevity Media Coverage
“I hope that in our lifetime, we’ll be able to use medicine in order to prevent age-related diseases and improve our quality of life. I think it's our obligation as scientists to do that.”
– Nir Barzilai, M.D.
Are You Interested in Joining the Study?
We are currently recruiting participants for phase 2. If you are 65 years or older, at least one parent lived to 95 or older, and are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, click here to learn more.
