Why do we age so differently? The Danish Twin and Oldest-Old Studies

ABSTRACT: In Denmark a series of longitudinal studies of the elderly and oldest-old has been conducted. The focus is on understanding the basis of differences in aging, frailty related phenotypes and lifespan. The studies include a longitudinal follow-up of the entire Danish 1905-cohort, a centenarian study, and a nation-wide survey among Danish same-sexed twins.  All the studies comprise information on health, behaviour, objective measures as well as biological material. This combination of studies provides an opportunity to shed light on determinants of mortality and aging related phenotypes. Among the key question addressed by these studies are: How plastic are aging processes? How important are genes, environment and chance in various aging related phenotypes?  Why do women, who on average are more disabled than men, live longer?  Is perceived age a good marker of aging and frailty? Are newer cohorts of centenarians less frail? Does exceptional longevity lead to exceptional levels of disability? This talk will describe how the Danish longitudinal studies have helped us answer these questions about the nature of aging and mortality.