They were identical in key respects: all were population-based nationwide studies that included all individuals born in the respective birth year and living in Denmark. There were no exclusion criteria, and proxy interviews were sought if a potential participant was considered unable to participate.

This comparative study shows improvements in reported ADL in the later born cohort of centenarians, even though only significant among women. As women constitute the majority of the oldest-olds, our findings are encouraging from a public health care view.

aging, we measured mitochondrial bioenergetics, mitochondrial DNA copy number and DNA repair capacity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from centenarians in a Danish 1915 birth cohort (n = 120). Also, the circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, NAD + /NADH and carbonylated proteins were measured in plasma of the centenarians and correlated to cognitive capacity. Mitochondrial