The LonGenity study at Albert Einstein College of Medicine has been recruiting community dwelling Ashkenazi Jewish seniors aged 65 or older in the United States since 2008. Offspring of Parents with Exceptional Longevity (OPEL), defined by having at least one parent who lived to age 95 or older and Offspring of Parents with Usual Survival (OPUS), defined by having neither parent survived to age 95 are being followed annually in this longitudinal study. The goal of this study is to search for longevity genes that may act to slow the aging process and/or protect from age-related diseases. Participants undergo comprehensive cognitive testing, physical performance assessments, and complete medical and family history questionnaires at annual visits. Blood samples are collected biennially and are used for DNA analysis. Participants selected for this sub-study were either (1) age ³70, carriers of APOe4/e4 genotype, and exhibited normal cognitive function or (2) were age ³80, carriers of APOe3/e4 genotype, and exhibited normal cognitive function. Cognitive function was evaluated annually with comprehensive neurocognitive test battery.

Funding:

Grants from the National Institutes of Health R01AG042188, R01AG044829, R01AG046949, R01AG057909, R01AG061155, P30AG038072, the Einstein-Paul Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Center for the Biology of Human Aging.