Common gene variants, mortality and extreme longevity in humans

Genetic factors influence variation in human life span. The fast technologi cal advancements in genome research and the methodology for statistical ana lysis of complex traits provided new tools to unravel these genetic influen ces. Most of the genetic epidemiology and quantitative genetics is focused on the dissection of the genetic component of specific diseases rather than of human life span. Nevertheless, common variants of 22 genes have been te sted for their contribution to mortality in the general population and extr eme longevity in one or more studies. These studies provide indications as to the nature of biological pathways that might play a role in human ageing . Perhaps even more important at this time is the fact that they give valua ble insights in the strengths and weaknesses of current strategies to ident ify gene variants affecting human life span and point at more powerful appr oaches. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.