Article
Cell Biology
Paola Sebastiani, Anthony Federico, Melody Morris, Anastasia Gurinovich, Toshiko Tanaka, Kevin B. Chandler, Stacy L. Andersen, Gerald Denis, Katherine Costello, Luigi Ferrucci, Lori Jennings, David J. Glass, Stefano Monti, Thomas T. Perls
Summary: Using samples from the New England Centenarian Study, researchers characterized the serum proteome of centenarians, their offspring, and age-matched controls. They identified protein signatures associated with longer survival in centenarians and younger individuals and found similarities in aging markers between centenarians and short-lived cohorts. The study provides specific circulating biomarkers of healthy aging and longevity, suggesting potential mechanisms to prolong health and support longevity.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yvonne Leung, Nir Barzilai, Agnieszka Batko-Szwaczka, Nina Beker, Kathrin Boerner, Carol Brayne, Henry Brodaty, Karen Siu-Lan Cheung, Maria M. Corrada, John D. Crawford, Alessia A. Galbussera, Yasuyuki Gondo, Henne Holstege, Marc Hulsman, Yoshiko Lily Ishioka, Daniela Jopp, Claudia H. Kawas, Jeff Kaye, Nicole A. Kochan, Bobo Hi-Po Lau, Darren M. Lipnicki, Jessica W. Lo, Ugo Lucca, Steve R. Makkar, Gabriella Marcon, Peter Martin, Kenichi Meguro, Sofiya Milman, Leonard W. Poon, Angela Recchia, Oscar Ribeiro, Emma Riva, Christoph Rott, Sietske Am Sikkes, Ingmar Skoog, Blossom Stephan, Jan Szewieczek, Laetitia Teixeira, Mauro Tettamanti, Krzysztof Wilczynski, Perminder Sachdev
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of dementia in centenarians and near-centenarians and found that the prevalence increases with age. Education and hypertension may have a protective effect against dementia, but further research is needed to understand other factors affecting dementia in this age group.
ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Siyao Lu, Ismail Shogo, Qiushi Feng, Wei-Jun Jean Yeung
Summary: This study investigates the degree of successful aging among a large sample of Chinese centenarians. It finds substantial heterogeneity in achieving the criteria of successful aging among centenarians, with social factors significantly associated with their aging performances. Specific subtypes of successful aging may provide insights into the underlying biological-environmental mechanisms of exceptional longevity.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Hao-Tian Wang, Long Zhao, Li-Qin Yang, Ming-Xia Ge, Xing-Li Yang, Zong-Liang Gao, Yu-Peng Cun, Fu-Hui Xiao, Qing-Peng Kong
Summary: By analyzing the whole genome somatic mutation profiles in 73 centenarians and 51 younger controls in China, researchers found that centenarian genomes have a skewed distribution of somatic mutations, with many genomic regions being conserved but having a high function potential. Additionally, long-lived individuals were observed to have more efficient DNA repair ability, supporting the idea that key genomic regions play a crucial role in human survival during aging and are essential for longevity.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Marta Ingles, Angel Belenguer-Varea, Eva Serna, Cristina Mas-Bargues, Francisco J. Tarazona-Santabalbina, Consuelo Borras, Jose Vina
Summary: Centenarians' offspring are less frail compared to age-matched noncentenarians' offspring, which may be explained by their unique genetic endowment.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Anna Aiello, Giulia Accardi, Stefano Aprile, Rosalia Caldarella, Ciriaco Carru, Marcello Ciaccio, Immaculata De Vivo, Caterina Maria Gambino, Mattia Emanuela Ligotti, Sonya Vasto, Angelo Zinellu, Calogero Caruso, Filippa Bono, Giuseppina Candore
Summary: Studying processes involved in longevity is crucial to elucidate biological mechanisms of health and well-being, while gender and age differences in various biomarkers can provide valuable insights into the characteristics of older individuals.
Article
Cell Biology
Yizhou Zhu, Seungjin Ryu, Archana Tare, Nir Barzilai, Gil Atzmon, Yousin Suh
Summary: Genome-wide association studies have identified the chromosomal locus 9p21.3 as a genetic hotspot for age-related disorders. In this study, the sequencing of this region in an Ashkenazi Jewish centenarian cohort revealed a significant depletion of risk alleles associated with various diseases. The findings suggest that the extreme longevity cohort may have collectively lower risks of multiple age-related diseases in the 9p21.3 locus.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Frankowska, Ewa Bryl, Tamas Fulop, Jacek M. Witkowski
Summary: This study found that at least one intracellular proteolytic system in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of centenarians is as abundant as in young individuals, while the elderly population shows a significant decrease. The study aimed to investigate how different types of cells in long-lived people maintain the quality and quantity of their proteins. The results suggested that robust proteodynamics may contribute to longevity, as most aspects of cellular protein maintenance showed better performance in centenarians compared to the average elderly, approaching levels seen in young individuals, except for mitochondrial status and chaperone function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Niccolo' Tesi, Sven J. van der Lee, Marc Hulsman, Iris E. Jansen, Najada Stringa, Natasja M. van Schoor, Philip Scheltens, Wiesje M. van der Flier, Martijn Huisman, Marcel J. T. Reinders, Henne Holstege
Summary: Studying centenarians can provide insights into extreme human longevity and age-related diseases. By constructing polygenic risk scores, researchers found genes associated with cellular differentiation, developmental processes, and stress response, contributing to the extended human lifespan. The results suggest that a combination of small advantageous genetic effects on aging-related mechanisms may help maintain overall health and decrease the risk of age-related diseases.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
George M. Martin, Fuki M. Hisama, Junko Oshima
Summary: This early contribution highlights the author's interest in using emerging tools of human genetics to support the hallmark of aging, Genomic Instability. It also discusses the genetic analysis of Antigeroid Syndromes and calls for research efforts in identifying genetic pathways that make individuals resistant to specific geriatric disorders.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Fabiola Olivieri, Francesco Prattichizzo, Fabrizia Lattanzio, Anna Rita Bonfigli, Liana Spazzafumo
Summary: One of the challenges in aging research is to understand how genetics and environmental factors interact to determine the chances of reaching extreme human lifespan in good health. Epigenetic mechanisms provide an explanation for this interaction and the long-term effects of lifestyle on aging. The theory of inflammaging suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation plays a crucial role in age-related diseases and mortality. Studies on centenarians have shown that healthy individuals can upregulate anti-inflammatory responses to cope with inflammaging. Genetic factors and the ability to remodel metabolic pathways are also important for healthy aging. The concept of antifragility, which refers to the ability of complex systems to perform better under stress, may provide insights into the heterogeneous nature of the aging process and its relationship with inflammation.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Stacy L. Andersen, Mengtian Du, Stephanie Cosentino, Nicole Schupf, Andrea L. Rosso, Thomas T. Perls, Paola Sebastiani
Summary: Individuals from families with familial longevity demonstrate better cognitive performance and slower rates of cognitive aging, particularly in processing speed, memory, and integration abilities. They may serve as a valuable cohort for studying resilience to cognitive aging.
Article
Cell Biology
Diego Marcos-Perez, Ander Saenz-Antonanzas, Ander Matheu
Summary: Centenarians are considered models of healthy aging due to their remarkable long life and compression of morbidity. Recent studies have identified the transcription factor REST as a key player in extreme longevity and cognitive activity, acting as an epigenetic regulator of neuronal homeostasis in both human and animal models. This research aims to summarize the genetic and epigenetic factors, as well as molecular pathways associated with centenarians and aging biology, with a focus on the impact of REST in longevity.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Antonio Currais, Ling Huang, Michael Petrascheck, Pamela Maher, David Schubert
Summary: The study utilized the drug candidate CAD031 to target age-related disease by reducing changes associated with mitochondrial aging. By focusing on the AMPK/ACC1 pathway, CAD031 extended the lifespan of rapidly aging mice by about 30%, indicating a potential approach to limit physiological aging in the brain with AD drug candidates.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Yoram Barak, Sharon Leitch, Paul Glue
Summary: The study reviewed the prevalence of chronic diseases in older adults and centenarians in New Zealand, with a higher proportion of female centenarians. Centenarians free of common chronic diseases showed no significant differences, with lower smoking rates and stable social engagement associated with centenarian status.
AGING CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Psychiatry
Monica Cations, Bethany Wilton-Harding, Kate E. Laver, Henry Brodaty, Lee-Fay Low, Noel Collins, David Lie, Duncan McKellar, Steve Macfarlane, Brian Draper
Summary: There is limited research on the effectiveness of psychiatry service delivery for older people and people with dementia in hospital and residential aged care. The available studies mainly focus on inpatient mental health wards and consultation/liaison old age psychiatry services. The evidence is inconsistent regarding the effects of these services on symptoms, mood, and quality of life. Future research should consider a broader range of outcomes.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Haichao Zhao, Wei Wen, Jian Cheng, Jiyang Jiang, Nicole Kochan, Haijun Niu, Henry Brodaty, Perminder Sachdev, Tao Liu
Summary: The nondemented old-old population over the age of 80 is rapidly increasing and can be seen as examples of successful aging. However, there is limited understanding of successful aging and its neural foundations in advanced age. In this study, diffusion-weighted imaging scans were used to measure the microstructural and network-based topological properties of brain white matter in 419 community-dwelling nondemented older individuals. The results showed significant declines in white matter connectivity in both microstructure and brain networks with increasing age, with a faster decline rate in the old-old compared to the young-old. Mediation models indicated that cognitive decline in the old-old group was partly due to age-related declines in white matter connectivity. Machine learning predictive models further supported the importance of declines in white matter connectivity as a neural substrate of cognitive aging in the nondemented older population.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sarah A. Grainger, John D. Crawford, Julia C. Riches, Nicole A. Kochan, Russell J. Chander, Karen A. Mather, Perminder S. Sachdev, Julie D. Henry
Summary: This study provides the first assessment of all 4 social cognitive domains in an adult life-span sample and found that normal adult aging is associated with multidirectional changes in social cognition. Theory of mind and social perception show nonlinear decline across much of the life-span, while affective empathy and social behavior improve. Age remains a significant predictor of all 4 social cognitive domains, even after accounting for broader cognitive function.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Sarah A. Grainger, Kate T. McKay, Julia C. Riches, Russell J. Chander, Rhiagh Cleary, Karen A. Mather, Nicole A. Kochan, Perminder S. Sachdev, Julie D. Henry
Summary: This study compared three assessment methods for cognitive and affective empathy and found that there was a lack of convergence among the assessment methods for cognitive empathy. In contrast, self-report was significantly associated with both behavioral and informant-report assessments for affective empathy. However, both cognitive and affective empathy measures showed poor discriminant validity. Only informant-report measures consistently correlated with social functioning.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Michael H. Connors, Armando Teixeira-Pinto, David Ames, Michael Woodward, Henry Brodaty
Summary: Apathy is a common symptom in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and may indicate progression to dementia. However, there is limited research on the longitudinal trajectory of apathy in MCI patients and its clinical correlates when controlled for depression, which can mimic apathy. This study aimed to address these issues.
INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOGERIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Lynn Chenoweth, Anna Williams, Jane McGuire, Patricia Reyes, Genevieve Maiden, Henry Brodaty, Zhixin Liu, Jacquelene Cook, Donna McCade, Cathleen Taylor-Rubin, Matilda Freeman, Claire Burley
Summary: This study proposes a knowledge translation protocol to implement person-centered care (PCC) in a sub-acute rehabilitation hospital for persons with dementia. The project involves training healthcare staff and evaluating outcomes for patients, staff, and healthcare services. The findings will inform the development of PCC education and practice guidelines for persons with dementia.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Annabel P. P. Matison, Anbupalam Thalamuthu, Victoria M. M. Flood, Julian N. N. Trollor, Vibeke S. S. Catts, Margaret J. J. Wright, David Ames, Henry Brodaty, Perminder S. S. Sachdev, Simone Reppermund, Karen A. A. Mather
Summary: Previous research suggests that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables may protect against depression in older adults. This study aims to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on fruit and vegetable consumption in older adults, and explore the potential shared genetic influences on consumption and depression.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jessica Gong, Katie Harris, Darren M. Lipnicki, Erico Castro-Costa, Maria Fernanda Lima-Costa, Breno S. Diniz, Shifu Xiao, Richard B. Lipton, Mindy J. Katz, Cuiling Wang, Pierre-Marie Preux, Maelenn Guerchet, Antoine Gbessemehlan, Karen Ritchie, Marie-Laure Ancelin, Ingmar Skoog, Jenna Najar, Therese Rydberg Sterner, Nikolaos Scarmeas, Mary Yannakoulia, Mary H. Kosmidis, Antonio Guaita, Elena Rolandi, Annalisa Davin, Oye Gureje, Stella Trompet, Jacobijn Gussekloo, Steffi Riedel-Heller, Alexander Pabst, Susanne Rohr, Suzana Shahar, Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh, Nurul Fatin Malek Rivan, Martin van Boxtel, Sebastian Kohler, Mary Ganguli, Chung-Chou Chang, Erin Jacobsen, Mary Haan, Ding Ding, Qianhua Zhao, Zhenxu Xiao, Kenji Narazaki, Tao Chen, Sanmei Chen, Tze Pin Ng, Xinyi Gwee, Katya Numbers, Karen A. Mather, Marcia Scazufca, Antonio Lobo, Concepcion De-la-Camara, Elena Lobo, Perminder S. Sachdev, Henry Brodaty, Maree L. Hackett, Sanne A. E. Peters, Mark Woodward
Summary: This meta-analysis of data from 21 cohorts across six continents found that women have a higher risk of developing dementia than men, especially in low- and lower-middle-income economies. Longer education and former alcohol use are stronger risk factors for dementia in men than in women, while other risk factors have similar effects in both genders.
ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Maud Hevink, Claire Wolfs, Rudolf Ponds, Shelley Doucet, Carrie McAiney, Isabelle Vedel, Maria Mackowiak, Joanna Rymaszewska, Greta Rait, Louise Robinson, Marie Poole, Meredith Gresham, Yun-Hee Jeon, Lyn Phillipson, Lee-Fay Low, Henry Brodaty, Marjolein de Vugt, Frans Verhey
Summary: This study aims to describe the experiences of people with dementia and informal caregivers in receiving support after diagnosis, and compare these experiences. The study finds that there are differences in support experiences between satisfied and dissatisfied individuals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dae Jong Oh, Jong Bin M. Bae, Darren Lipnicki, Ji Won S. Han, Perminder Sachdev, Tae Hui Kim, Kyung Phil Kwak, Bong Jo Kim, Shin Gyeom Kim, Jeong Lan Kim, Seok Woo Moon, Joon Hyuk Park, Seung-Ho Ryu, Jong Chul Youn, Dong Young Lee, Dong Woo Lee, Seok Bum Lee, Jung Jae Lee, Jin Hyeong Jhoo, Ingmar Skoog, Jenna R. Najar, Therese Sterner, Antonio Guaita, Roberta Vaccaro, Elena Rolandi, Nikolaos Scarmeas, Mary H. Yannakoulia, Mary G. Kosmidis, Steffi Riedel-Heller, Susanne Roehr, Jacqueline Dominguez, Ma Fe De Guzman, Krizelle Cleo Fowler, Antonio Lobo, Pedro Saz, Raul J. Lopez-Anton, Kaarin Anstey, Nicolas E. Cherbuin, Moyra Mortby, Henry Brodaty, Julian Trollor, Nicole Kochan, Ki Woong Kim
Summary: This study aims to investigate the association between parental history of dementia and the risk of dementia in offspring, and found that maternal history of dementia is associated with increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD), while paternal history of dementia is not. These findings may have important implications for identifying high-risk individuals for AD and stratifying the risk in clinical trials.
PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Katya Numbers, Ben C. P. Lam, John D. Crawford, Nicole A. Kochan, Perminder S. Sachdev, Henry Brodaty
Summary: Individuals with subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are at an increased risk of dementia. Informant-reported SCCs appear to be more predictive of future dementia than participant-reported SCCs, and changes in both participants' and informants' SCCs over time are associated with dementia risk.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Quoc C. C. Truong, Carol Choo, Katya Numbers, Adam Bentvelzen, Alexander G. G. Merkin, Henry Brodaty, Nicole A. A. Kochan, Valery L. L. Feigin, Perminder S. S. Sachdev, Oleg N. N. Medvedev
Summary: The study evaluated the psychometric properties of the TICS-M and used the Rasch methodology to improve its accuracy. The results showed good reliability of the TICS-M assessment scores, but there were some misfitting items and local dependency issues. By combining these problematic items into super-items, the Rasch model fit for the TICS-M improved, resulting in improved reliability and no misfitting or local dependency. The creation of a transformation table allows for converting raw TICS-M scores into interval-level data, increasing the precision of the instrument.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Princess Neila Litkouhi, Katya Numbers, Michael Valenzuela, John D. Crawford, Ben C. P. Lam, Princess Noosha Litkouhi, Perminder S. Sachdev, Nicole A. Kochan, Henry Brodaty
Summary: Cognitive, social, and physical activities, especially during young adulthood, are associated with better late-life cognitive outcomes. Formal education plays a significant role in the relationship between young adulthood cognitive activity and late-life global cognition.
AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Marina Ulanova, Lucy Gloag, Andre Bongers, Chul-Kyu Kim, Hong Thien Kim Duong, Ha Na Kim, John Justin Gooding, Richard D. Tilley, Joanna Biazik, Wei Wen, Perminder S. Sachdev, Nady Braidy, Alexander E. Kalyuzhny
Summary: Nanoparticle-based magnetic contrast agents have been developed for early non-invasive diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study developed a biocompatible magnetic nanoparticle targeted to amyloid beta (A beta) plaques to enhance the sensitivity of T2-weighted MRI for imaging of amyloid pathology in AD. The nanoparticles showed no significant cytotoxicity and were able to bind to amyloid species. The study provides promising preliminary results for the development of a targeted non-invasive method for early AD diagnosis using contrast-enhanced MRI.