In 2003 researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York isolated a gene, called CETP, which is associated with longevity in a population of Ashkenazi Jews. Now, the same researchers have found the gene in an elderly group of racially and ethnically diverse Bronx residents who have been followed for 25 years as a part of the current study on aging. Participants who carried two copies of the favorable CETP gene variant had a 70% reduction in their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, compared with participants who carried no copies of this gene. It’s believed that 1 in 5 people carry the CETP gene, but only those who have two copies of it (one from each parent) will inherit its benefits, including an increased likelihood of living to 100 years old. How will this affect us? Scientists are already working on a drug to mimic the effect of the gene. [via Science Daily]
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Tags: aging, alzheimer's, centenarian, CETP, dementia, longevity, memory, senior
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:32 am
What a great idea I will have some of that please !
February 4th, 2010 at 6:50 am
If my mother has Alzheimers, does it mean I will have Alzheimers?
February 4th, 2010 at 8:57 am
I FIND THE SESEARCH VERY INTERESTED, BUT I ALSO TAKE INTO
CONSIDERATION THAT JEWS AND THOSE RELATED TO JEWS EAT A MORE
BALANCE DITE OF FRUIT AND VENGETABLE THAN THE AVERAGE AMERICAN..
YES, MANY JEWS ARE OVER WEIGHT, BUT NOT MANY DIED YOUNG WITH A
HEART ATTACK, VERY VEW ARE ALCHOLICS AND VERY FEW HAVE AN
MENTAL PROBLEMS. THE REAL TRULY JEWS HOME LIFE IS MORE
CONDUSIVE TO LONGEVITY THAN THE AVERAGE AMERICAN PROTESTANT
FRANKLIN D. TURNEY M-DIV/PSY
February 4th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Based on this research, it appears circumcision is the way to go. Sorry folks, I just couldn’t resist it.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Rita – just because your mother has Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean you will get it. However, there are genetic basis for the onset of the disease. Here’s a good website about it: http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publications/geneticsfs.htm
February 4th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Ken – no comment
But, I do enjoy reading all of your commentary. Thanks!