Genetic epidemiology in aging research

M. Daniele Fallin, Amy Matteini

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Over the last two decades, aging research has expanded to include not only age-related disease models, and conversely, longevity and disease-free models, but also focuses on biological mechanisms related to the aging process. By viewing aging on multiple research frontiers, we are rapidly expanding knowledge as a whole and mapping connections between biological processes and particular age-related diseases that emerge. This is perhaps most true in the field of genetics, where variation across individuals has improved our understanding of aging mechanisms, etiology of age-related disease, and prediction of therapeutic responses. A close partnership between gerontologists, epidemiologists, and geneticists is needed to take full advantage of emerging genome information and technology and bring about a new age for biological aging research. Here we review current genetic findings for aging across both disease-specific and aging process domains. We then highlight the limitations of most work to date in terms of study design, genomic information, and trait modeling and focus on emerging technology and future directions that can partner genetic epidemiology and aging research fields to best take advantage of the rapid discoveries in each.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)47-60
Number of pages14
JournalJournals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Volume64
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2009

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aging
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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