Study finds gene helps life last longer

SANTA ANA, Calif. — If you lead an active, extroverted life and are something of a thrill seeker, you might be genetically primed to live into your 90s or longer, according to a new study by a team that included University of California, Irvine, researchers.

A variation of a much-studied gene involved in transmission of dopamine, a key component of the brain’s reward and learning system, was found to be far more frequent among the very old.

And the same gene variant was also linked to longer life in mice.

The variant itself might not extend lifespan directly, said Robert Moyzis, a UCI biological chemistry professor and an author of the study.

Instead, it appears to predispose those who bear it to a more vigorous lifestyle.

“This particular variation has already been associated with personality traits that are much more outgoing, much more socially engaged,” Moyzis said. “We think it’s a simple as that. Obviously, if you are much more likely to be engaged in physical and intellectual activities as you age, there have been many studies that have shown that is a good predictor of adding a few more years to your life.”

The human subjects in the study came from Laguna Woods, part of a group involved in the Leisure World Cohort Study that began in 1981. It included people who were 90 years old or older in 2003; most of them have since passed away, Moyzis said.

But their genes, as well as cell lines, live on, perpetuated in laboratories so they will be available for a variety of research projects.

In this study, genetic samples from 310 people 90 years old or older were checked for the gene variant, known as the DRD4 7R allele.

Sixty-six percent more people possessed the gene variant in the 90-plus group when compared with a control group of nearly 3,000, aged seven to 45.

For the mouse component, researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that mice that had the gene variant “knocked out” of their DNA had their lifespans decreased by 7 percent to 9.7 percent compared to mice that carried it.

“Even in a fairly enriched environment, you take out this gene and the mice just don’t live very long,” Moyzis said.

The gene variant is something of a double-edged sword. While it appears to promote long life, it also has been associated with high-risk behavior, drug addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD — although children with the variant, causing them to be more restless and easily bored in a classroom setting, might not properly belong under the broad umbrella of ADHD, Moyzis said.

Despite the large number of children diagnosed with ADHD shown to have the variant, “they really don’t have the cognitive deficits and attention deficits diagnostic for this disorder,” he said.

The discovery of the gene variant’s association with longevity might inspire people to become more active as they age, potentially extending their lives — even if they don’t harbor the variant themselves, Moyzis said.

And more work must be done to learn about potential risks the variant could bring in adolescence, and other traits that might come with it.

“The story isn’t totally done,” he said. “I get the impression this is the story of all the blind men and the elephant. We have little snippets of what this gene seems to be strongly associated with, but it’s hard to say, to totally specify, what the whole pathway is yet.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.