Disentangling the Roles of Disability and Morbidity in Survival to Exceptional Old Age

Abstract

Whereas the compression of both morbidity and disability are essential features of survival to old age for some centenarians, for others, the compression of disability alone may be the key prerequisite. Though far fewer in number, male centenarians tend to have significantly better cognition and physical function than their female counterparts.

Association of the K153R polymorphism in the myostatin gene and extreme longevity

“…This group of people are the survival tail of population, with a lifespan of at least 15-20 years higher than the average westerner. Centenarians are also a model of healthy ageing, as the onset of disability in these individuals is generally delayed until they are well into their mid-90s (Christensen et al 2008;Terry et al 2008).…”

Emotional and psychological trauma in refugees arriving in Germany in 2015

“…[18][19][20] Epigenetic inactivation mechanisms have been described for the glucocorticoid receptor gene, 21 and it has been speculated that chronic emotional or psychological stress or sustained athletic activity may result in reduced responsiveness of the cortisol receptor and increased resistance to stress, potentially associated with longevity. 22 We previously showed in healthy students that physical activity and burdensome life events in the previous 3 months lead to an elevation of long-term steroids in hair. 23 The language barrier in the adult refugees, as discussed above, and the complex histories and needs of underage refugees represent enormous challenges for diagnosis and treatment implementation.…”

What can the life course approach contribute to an understanding of longevity risk?

“…Since its inception, the Newcastle 85+ study used by Blane and colleagues to illustrate the golden generation, has provided valuable information about their physical, metabolic, immune and cognitive function phenotypes (Collerton et al, 2007;Harrison et al, 2015;Motta et al, 2005;Terry, Sebastiani, Andersen & Perls, 2008;Vacante et al, 2012;Willcox et al, 2008). Yet by their design, this and numerous other studies conducted worldwide among the oldest old are limited in their contribution to the understanding of the life course trajectories that explain the longevity of their participants.…”