People grow older at different speeds. Some stay free of serious illness for many years, while others face health problems early. Understanding why this happens is becoming more important as the world’s population ages.
Family Studies Matter
Looking at whole families gives a clearer picture than studying single individuals. Age and health are shaped by many things: money, habits, surroundings, and genes. Because of this, a person from an average‑lifespan family can live very long, and someone from a long‑lived family might not.
Researchers from Leiden University found that middle‑aged adults whose parents lived a long time developed heart and metabolic problems about 13 years later than people whose parents died younger. This suggests that a longer healthspan can be passed down.
Searching for Longevity Genes
The team examined the DNA of 212 families with many long‑living siblings. They spotted four spots in the genome that likely hold genes linked to a longer life. This reduced the number of possible genes from about 20,000 to 350.
Further analysis narrowed the list to 12 rare changes that affect proteins. These changes might help people stay healthier for longer.
The CGAS Gene
One interesting change was found in the CGAS gene, which is known to be involved in aging. CGAS helps the body start inflammation when DNA appears in the wrong place inside a cell—a sign of infection or damage.
In the studied families, people seemed to have only one active copy of CGAS instead of two. This may have lowered inflammation enough to protect the body while still allowing it to fight germs and repair tissue, possibly extending healthspan.
Testing the Mutation in Killifish
Scientists say more work is needed before any human benefits are clear. Turning off CGAS completely could make organisms vulnerable to disease, while too much activity can cause chronic inflammation.
To see how the CGAS change works in a living creature, the researchers will add the mutation to killifish—tiny fish that live only a few months. By comparing mutated fish to normal ones, they hope to learn if the change can lengthen lifespan and improve tissue health.
What This Could Mean
Experts believe these findings help us separate environmental influences from true genetic factors. Understanding rare protective mutations may one day guide strategies to keep more people healthy as they age.