Detecting genetic variants for extreme aging using multiple data sources

摘要

It has been long speculated that the effect of genetic variants on survival changes with age. Evidence for age-specific effects is, however, hard to obtain as most studies are underpowered or not suited to detect age-specific effects. Tan et al in this issue present an elegant solution by borrowing information from population survival registries. They show age-specific effects of the e4 allele of APOE: the relative risks for carriers versus non-carriers are around 1.15 from age 92 to 99 years and then increase to around 1.22 up to age 104 years.