Study Says Genetic Protection Against Alzheimer's May Be Key To Health In Old Age

Genetic resistance to cognitive decline was found as a likely disease-protective genetic factor that contributes to healthy aging, according to a study on the genomes of healthy old people. Researchers sequenced the genomes of people they referred to as the "wellderly."

This study was published on April 21 in the journal Cell. The study said that the wellderly are people who are more than 80 years old with no chronic diseases and are not taking any chronic medication. As of the study's publication, 1,354 Wellderly individuals had been enrolled in the study.

Wellderly Have Lower Risk For Alzheimer's And Heart Disease

Whole genome sequencing was performed on 600 Wellderly individuals and the results were compared to those of a control group. The authors found that the wellderly "had a lower genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease and coronary artery disease than the control group but were at roughly the same genetic risk of developing diabetes and cancer," per Nature.

The study authors note that results of the study point to "protection against cognitive decline as a potential molecular mechanism governing healthy aging and longevity." They added that despite equitable high estimates for heritability, this is an area in which scientists have difficulty identifying genetic associations.

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Alzheimer's Disease And Old Age

Most people with Alzheimer's disease are aged 65 and older. The Alzheimer's Association said that even if the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is increasing age, the disease is not a normal part of aging.

According to the study, age-associated diseases like Alzheimer's are responsible for two-thirds of the overall deaths across the globe. In fact, 90 percent of the fatalities in "industrialized nations" are attributed to age-associated diseases. The study authors added that "management of age-associated diseases is a major driver of medical research and health policy."

What can you say about this new research on genetics and health in old age? Are you surprised that some people have genetic protection against Alzheimer's disease? Write your comments below.