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Longevity defined as top 10% survivors and beyond is transmitted as a quantitative genetic trait

Author

Listed:
  • Niels Berg

    (Leiden University Medical Center
    University of Utah
    Radboud University)

  • Mar Rodríguez-Girondo

    (Leiden University Medical Center)

  • Ingrid K. Dijk

    (Radboud University)

  • Rick J. Mourits

    (Radboud University)

  • Kees Mandemakers

    (International Institute of Social History)

  • Angelique A. P. O. Janssens

    (Radboud University)

  • Marian Beekman

    (Leiden University Medical Center)

  • Ken R. Smith

    (University of Utah)

  • P. Eline Slagboom

    (Leiden University Medical Center
    Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing)

Abstract

Survival to extreme ages clusters within families. However, identifying genetic loci conferring longevity and low morbidity in such longevous families is challenging. There is debate concerning the survival percentile that best isolates the genetic component in longevity. Here, we use three-generational mortality data from two large datasets, UPDB (US) and LINKS (Netherlands). We study 20,360 unselected families containing index persons, their parents, siblings, spouses, and children, comprising 314,819 individuals. Our analyses provide strong evidence that longevity is transmitted as a quantitative genetic trait among survivors up to the top 10% of their birth cohort. We subsequently show a survival advantage, mounting to 31%, for individuals with top 10% surviving first and second-degree relatives in both databases and across generations, even in the presence of non-longevous parents. To guide future genetic studies, we suggest to base case selection on top 10% survivors of their birth cohort with equally long-lived family members.

Suggested Citation

  • Niels Berg & Mar Rodríguez-Girondo & Ingrid K. Dijk & Rick J. Mourits & Kees Mandemakers & Angelique A. P. O. Janssens & Marian Beekman & Ken R. Smith & P. Eline Slagboom, 2019. "Longevity defined as top 10% survivors and beyond is transmitted as a quantitative genetic trait," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07925-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07925-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Lazuka, Volha & Sandholt Jensen, Peter, 2021. "Multigenerational Effects of Smallpox Vaccination," Lund Papers in Economic History 232, Lund University, Department of Economic History.
    2. Niels Berg & Mar Rodríguez-Girondo & Ingrid K. Dijk & P. Eline Slagboom & Marian Beekman, 2023. "Increasing number of long-lived ancestors marks a decade of healthspan extension and healthier metabolomics profiles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Francisco J. Marco-Gracia & Javier Puche, 2020. "Did taller people live longer? Influence of height on life span in rural Spain, 1835-2019," Working Papers 0201, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).

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