UCSD to study centenarians in Italian village
Scientists from UC San Diego have begun to arrive in a small coastal village in southwestern Italy to study why a disproportionate number of its citizens live to be 100 or older.
There are roughly 300 centenarians and supercentenarian in Acciaroli, a town of about 2,000 people on the Cilento peninsula. UC San Diego has received permission from Italian authorities to perform a variety of studies on volunteers during the first week of September.
The research project is being led by Dr. Alan Maisel, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at UC San Diego, and Nik Schork, director of human biology at the J. Craig Venter Institute in La Jolla.
Maisel did a quick email interview with the Union-Tribune from Italy.
Q: I understand that you will test the blood of many of the people in Acciaroli. What is the purpose of such tests?
A: We look at things such as: 1) whole DNA sequencing; 2) metabolic testing -- metabolic byproducts are often great signals; 3) protein biomarkers of risk (for) cardiac disease; 4) protein biomarkers for risk of Alzheimer’s (disease).
Q: What kind of tests will you conduct in addition to the blood test?
A: A general physical exam and routine lab tests of kidney and liver function, echocardiography, surveys of diet and activity; tests of mental cognition
Q: How can you determine whether the Mediterranean diet factors into longevity?
A: It is likely to do so. But we feel it is never just the diet or any diet -- it is a whole host of things which, depending on your DNA, might make you prone or resistant to disease.
Q: What environmental factors might be contributing to longevity?
A: Clean air, less stress, growing many herbs that are eaten on a regular basis -- like rosemary, for instance, which has proven beneficial for brain function.
Q: Does being in a village where people live long lives affect your personal mindset in any way?
A: Yes, this is my fifth visit. When I am there and at least for a while afterwards, I am sort of in the “don’t sweat the small stuff” mindset. Normally, I am not that patient a person. After Italy, I am much more relaxed.
