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Longevity and the 2 Allele of Apolipoprotein E

The Finnish Centenarians Study

^a Laboratory of Epidemiology and Neuroimaging, IRCCS San Giovanni di Dio–FBF, Brescia, Italy
^b Alzheimer's Unit, IRCCS San Giovanni di Dio–FBF, Brescia, Italy
^c Geriatric Section, Department of Medicine, Tromsø University Hospital, Norway

Giovanni B. Frisoni, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Neuroimaging, IRCCS San Giovanni di Dio\|[ndash ]\|FBF, via Pilastroni 4, I-25123 Brescia, Italy E-mail: frisoni{at}master.cci.unibs.it.

Decision Editor: John E. Morley, MB, BCh

Background. Whether and which genetic factors affect human longevity is unclear. This study assesses the association between the 2 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE), a putative longevity gene, and extremely old age.

Methods. This study is based on all centenarians living in Finland in 1991. Subjects were 179 persons (28 men and 151 women) aged 100 years and older (response rate, 97%).

Results. The percentages of 2-allele carriers in persons aged 100 to 101, 102 to 103, and 104 years and older were 9% (10/117), 21% (9/42), and 25% (5/20; gender-adjusted p for trend = .01), respectively. The effect was particularly strong in women: 8% (8/100), 18% (6/33), and 28% (5/18; p for trend = .01) by age group, respectively. Low cell numbers prevented clear conclusions being drawn for men. Seventeen percent (30/179) of the adult Finnish population were carriers of the 4 allele, a figure lower than expected, and stable by age group.

Conclusions. Carriers of the 2 allele of APOE might be predisposed to reach extremely old age.

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