Aging, Author Interviews, Genetic Research, Smoking, UCLA / 11.09.2015
What Can We Learn From Small Group of Smokers Who Survive To Old Age?
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Morgan Elyse Levine PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Human Genetics
University of California, Los Angeles
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Levine: Studies using mice, worms, and flies have suggested that longevity may be linked to stress resistance. All of us are constantly encountering things that damage our cells and tissue and disrupt physiological functioning. Therefore, people who are genetically predisposed to better prevent or repair this damage may age slower. Smoking is one of the most damaging things someone can do to their health, yet some smokers are able to survive to extreme ages. This study looked at long-lived smokers to see if we could identify a "genetic signature". We generated a genetic risk score that was found to be associated with longevity both in smokers and non-smokers, and also appeared to be associated with cancer risk.
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