Public release date: 3-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] <\/p>\n
Contact: Tom Vasich tmvasich@uci.edu<\/a> 949-824-6455 University of California - Irvine<\/p>\n Irvine, Calif., Jan. 3, 2013 A variant of a gene associated with active personality traits in humans seems to also be involved with living a longer life, UC Irvine and other researchers have found. <\/p>\n This derivative of a dopamine-receptor gene called the DRD4 7R allele appears in significantly higher rates in people more than 90 years old and is linked to lifespan increases in mouse studies. <\/p>\n Robert Moyzis, professor of biological chemistry at UC Irvine, and Dr. Nora Volkow, a psychiatrist who conducts research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and also directs the National Institute on Drug Abuse, led a research effort that included data from the UC Irvine-led 90+ Study in Laguna Woods, Calif. Results appear online in The Journal of Neuroscience. <\/p>\n The variant gene is part of the dopamine system, which facilitates the transmission of signals among neurons and plays a major role in the brain network responsible for attention and reward-driven learning. The DRD4 7R allele blunts dopamine signaling, which enhances individuals' reactivity to their environment. <\/p>\n People who carry this variant gene, Moyzis said, seem to be more motivated to pursue social, intellectual and physical activities. The variant is also linked to attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder and addictive and risky behaviors. <\/p>\n \"While the genetic variant may not directly influence longevity,\" Moyzis said, \"it is associated with personality traits that have been shown to be important for living a longer, healthier life. It's been well documented that the more you're involved with social and physical activities, the more likely you'll live longer. It could be as simple as that.\" <\/p>\n Numerous studies including a number from the 90+ Study have confirmed that being active is important for successful aging, and it may deter the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. <\/p>\n Prior molecular evolutionary research led by Moyzis and Chuansheng Chen, UC Irvine professor of psychology & social behavior, indicated that this \"longevity allele\" was selected for during the nomadic out-of-Africa human exodus more than 30,000 years ago. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excerpt from: Public release date: 3-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Tom Vasich tmvasich@uci.edu<\/a> 949-824-6455 University of California - Irvine Irvine, Calif., Jan. 3, 2013 A variant of a gene associated with active personality traits in humans seems to also be involved with living a longer life, UC Irvine and other researchers have found. Continue reading
\nDopamine-receptor gene variant linked to human longevity<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"