The Leiden Longevity Study: Identification of biomarkers of the rate of ageing

The aim of the study is to identify genetic mechanisms of longevity and to characterize their interaction with the environment. Using the results the future health of people without familial longevity can be improved in old age. Long-lived siblings of European descent were recruited together with their offspring and the partners of the offspring. Families were recruited if at least two long-lived siblings were alive and fulfilled the age criterion of 89 years or older for males and 91 years or older for females, representing less than 0.5% of the Dutch population in 2001.