Supercentenarians are very rare, very precious individuals, who have lived to at least 110 years of age. Surviving decades longer than their peers — often in far better health — supercentenarians may hold the keys to protection from disease, decline, and early death.

Our researchers are engaged in an extensive, international study of individuals demonstrating increased or extreme resistance to devastating, age-related diseases — such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, organ failure, immune system failure, and neurodegeneration — as well as the illness and injury caused by bone and muscle deterioration, dementia, loss of mobility, and cognitive decline.

Supercentenarians have avoided the vast majority of these age-related illnesses, and the study of the protective mechanisms that have ensured their survival may lead to the discovery and development of new treatments and therapies, bringing the good health and great longevity of supercentenarians to the rest of us.

• Longevity
• Disease Resistance
• Protective Genes

There is a great deal of research to support the theory that supercentenarians' longevity is hereditary. The siblings of supercentenarians are up to 17 times more likely to survive to age 100 than the siblings of non-supercentenarians. Many of these individuals also enjoy increased and lifelong resistance to disease, suffering far less age-related morbidity.

Studies reveal a strong link between inherited traits and healthy longevity, as well as mechanisms that protect against a wide variety of illnesses. The careful study of supercentenarians and their families can provide unparalleled insights into the mechanisms of health, aging, and disease.